Apache JMeter - An Introduction

Apache JMeter is a pure Java-based open-source software application used for testing load testing functional behavior and measuring performance. It is used for testing a variety of services,i.e. web applications, databases, etc.

Apache JMeter Features

Features of JMeter that make it so powerful are mentioned below:

• Performance Testing:
  Performance is one of the most important features of any application, so performance testing plays a vital role in testing any application. JMeter tool has this feature of Performance Testing.
  
• Load Testing:
  Load Testing is where we assess how the application will perform when it faces a load of users and activity, and JMeter is good with this type of testing both with web applications and databases.
  
• Functional Testing:
  Functional Testing checks if the functionality of the application is up to the mark. It ensures that the application behaves as expected and delivers the desired features and functionalities to the user.
  
• Protocol Support:
  Protocol Support is the ability of an application to exchange data with other systems using specific communication protocols. Like protocols supported by JMeter are mentioned below:
  - Web: HTTP, HTTP, FTP
  - Web Services: SOAP/XML-RPC
  - Network Devices: TCP/IP, Ethernet
  - API: REST, GraphQL
  
• Scripting:
  Scripting allows us to create custom test scenarios which can't be created by pre-built components, because of this feature JMeter is able to test wide range scenarios and corner cases.
  
• Distributed Testing:
  Distributed Testing is technique which allows to distribute the load for testing into multiple machines rather than a single machine. These multiple machines are controlled by a single parent machine. It is poweful technique used JMeter check the real time consequences of load.
  
• Graphical Reporting:
  Graphical Reporting is where we use Interactive visual to represent the report to understand performance trends, identify bottlenecks, and optimize your application's performance.

Applications of Apache JMeter

Applications of Apache JMeter are not limited as it covers the wide range of systems mentioned below:

1. Web Application Testing: Web Application covers many frameworks web testing can be divided into Load Testing, Stress Testing, Functional Testing, API Testing, etc.
   
2. Mobile Application Testing: Wide range features of JMeter supports various protocols, scripting which effectively helps in Mobile Testing. Some uses of JMeter testing in Mobile Application are Performance Testing, Battery Consumption Testing, etc.
   
3. Database Testing: It is the process in we evaluate how a database responds under different workloads and conditions. It is very beneficial for improving performance and for enhancing the user experience. And, JMeter is one of the tool used for doing so, as it offers various plugins and customization operation to improve the database testing.
   
4. Other Application: Apart from Web , Mobile and Database JMeter can be used for other applications like Desktop Applications , Testing Network Protocols, etc.

Apache JMeter Working

JMeter is a Java based application or tool that simulates a group of users and sends request to a target server. And hence, returns statistics which shows the functionality and performance of the server.

Working of Apache JMeter is explained in the Image below: