Soak Testing
(Definition & Key Benefits)

Soak testing can offer the following benefits:

• Identify performance issues over long periods.
• Uncover memory leaks and system failures.
• Measure the stability of systems.
• Monitor endurance under continuous usage.

Let's take a closer look at what soak testing is and why it matters.

What Is Soak Testing?

Soak testing is a crucial part of software testing. It is a type of non-functional testing that involves subjecting a system to a significant load over an extended period of time. The aim of soak testing is to observe how the system behaves and performs under sustained use. You can think of this as a stress test.

During soak testing, developers monitor system parameters such as memory usage, CPU usage, disk space, and network performance, among other things. The examination is designed to help uncover potential system failures, memory leaks, and slowdowns that may only occur or become apparent after a system has been under stress for a significant period of time.

When Should You Perform A Soak Test?

If you are going to perform a soak test, you should do this during the performance testing phase of software development. This phase typically follows the functional testing phase - which ensures that the application's functionalities perform as expected.

Performing a soak test is important for those developing systems that will need to remain operational for extended periods, such as servers, databases, and software for infrastructure. These systems are expected to run continuously without any failures. With this in mind, it's important to identify and address potential issues that may result in system breakdowns over time.

Running A Soak Test (Key Considerations)

Like any test conducted by developers, soak testing comes with no shortage of factors to take into consideration.

You should think carefully about the duration of the test. How much of a load do you need to subject the system to over a period of time? This could last hours or even days.

When testing the load, it should be representative of the system's expected usage in a real-world scenario. This will mean simulating typical user interactions and system processes.

Monitoring and logging are crucial during soak testing. You should continuously track various system parameters such as memory usage, CPU usage, network performance, and disk space. This will enable you to identify any anomalies that could indicate a problem.

The Outcome Of Soak Testing

You can use the results of soak testing in multiple ways. They can help identify memory leaks that may not become apparent until the system has been running for a while. The result of soak testing can also help locate issues that could cause a slowdown or system failure over time.

Understanding how your application performs under prolonged stress can guide improvements and optimizations, ensuring system stability and reliability. Moreover, it provides valuable insights into the system's capability to recover from failures, thereby aiding in the improvement of the software's resilience.

Soak Testing (Closing Thoughts)

Soak testing is a critical part of software testing that helps ensure the reliability and stability of a system under prolonged stress. When you successfully identify potential issues that can cause system breakdowns over time, you can "nip these in the bud" and make the necessary adjustments to your code.