UPDATE (2014-11-07) Since this is one of the more popular posts on my site, I suppose it’s time it got updated to reflect the new changes Netflix has made to the way filtering works. The new profiles are a bit simpler in terms of filtering, but I’ve found similar issues to those I had before. Namely, it occasionally filters things that I wish were not filtered, so I usually leave the filtering more relaxed than I wish I could.

Things have been pretty crazy the past few weeks. I've graduated, moved, gone on vacation, returned from vacation, interviewed for jobs, found a job, and started a job. Things are calming down now, and I may be able to write something useful here soon.

Okay, I decided to get the last of the QA tool reviews out on the site so I don’t have to think about them any more. Here it is:

Description

WAPT is a performance/load testing tool developed by SoftLogica. It is a Windows-only tool designed to be very easy to use. A free 30-day trial is available at the company website that allows full functionality with the restriction of 20 virtual users.

Overview

Pros

• Very easy to record and run tests
• Decent reporting

Cons

• Not Free
• No scripting capability
• Doesn’t do well recording AJAX calls

Pricing

• Standard license - $350 with price per license decreasing with volume
  • No distributed load generation
  • Unlimited VUs
• WAPT Pro - $700 includes 1 standard license and 2 load agents
  • Additional Load Agents - $200
  • Provides distributed load generation

Ease of Use

Ease of Installation

WAPT was super easy to install. It installs just as easily as any Windows program. The installer puts everything where it needs to be and you’re set to go.

Setting up a Test

Setting up a test is as simple as starting to record, then going to the sites you want to test. WAPT records all your activity. You then organize it into Initial, Main, and Final actions. The initial actions are executed once per VU per round. These would include things like logging in. The main actions are completed as many times as you tell it to in the virtual user profile. Final actions are completed after all iterations of the main actions.

Description

The Grinder is a Java^TM load testing framework that makes it easy to run a distributed test using many load injector machines. It is freely available under a BSD-style open-source license. Below is a list of some if its key features.

• Generic Approach Load test anything that has a Java API. This includes common cases such as HTTP web servers, SOAP and REST web services, and application servers (CORBA, RMI, JMS, EJBs), as well as custom protocols.
• Flexible Scripting Tests are written in the powerful Jython scripting language.
• Distributed Framework A graphical console allows multiple load injectors to be monitored and controlled, and provides centralised script editing and distribution.
• Mature HTTP Support Automatic management of client connections and cookies. SSL. Proxy aware. Connection throttling. Sophisticated record and replay of the interaction between a browser and a web site.

Overview

Pros

• Jython scripting makes tests very customizable

Cons

• Scripts can be complicated to write and maintain
• Fairly solid technical ability required
• Proxy recorder does not record HTTPS traffic

Pricing

The Grinder is free and open-source. BSD-style open source license.

So, I’ve decided to rededicate myself to learning new tech skills.