How can you use JMeter for load and performance testing in Agile projects?

4 How to create your JMeter tests?

Once you have planned your tests, you can use the JMeter graphical user interface (GUI) to create and configure your tests. This includes a test plan, which is the container that holds all the elements of your test, such as thread groups, samplers, controllers, listeners, timers, assertions, and variables. A thread group defines the number of virtual users, the ramp-up period, and the duration of your test. Samplers send requests to a server and wait for a response. JMeter supports various types of samplers such as HTTP, JDBC, JMS, or SOAP. A controller controls the logic and flow of your test such as loops, conditions or transactions. Listeners collect and display results from your test in graphs, tables or reports. Timers add a delay between requests to simulate the think time of real users. Assertions check the validity of the response based on criteria such as status code, content or duration. Variables store and manipulate data used or generated during the test such as parameters, cookies or headers.

5 How to run and analyze your JMeter tests?

After you have created your tests, you can run them in two modes: GUI mode or non-GUI mode. GUI mode is useful for debugging and validating your tests, but it consumes more resources and may affect the accuracy of your results. Non-GUI mode is recommended for executing your tests, as it consumes less resources and provides better performance. You can run your tests in non-GUI mode by using the command line, or by using a scheduler, such as Jenkins or Cron.

To analyze your JMeter tests, you can use the listeners that you have added to your test plan, or you can use external tools, such as Grafana or Kibana. You can also generate HTML reports that contain summary statistics and charts of your test results. You should compare your test results with your test objectives, and identify any issues or areas for improvement. You should also share your test results and feedback with your stakeholders, and collaborate on the next steps.

6 How to integrate JMeter with other tools and frameworks?

Integrating JMeter with other tools and frameworks can enhance load and performance testing in Agile projects. For example, Selenium can automate web browser actions like clicking, typing, or scrolling, and you can export the recorded user scenarios as JMeter tests. BlazeMeter is a platform that can run JMeter tests in the cloud and provide real-time monitoring and reporting. JUnit is a framework for creating and running unit tests for Java code, and Maven is a tool for managing the build and dependency of Java projects. You can use these tools to test the functionality and performance of web application components, scale up tests, simulate thousands of users from different locations, automate execution and reporting, and integrate with your continuous integration and delivery pipeline.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?