Which testing method focuses on the performance of a software application under high traffic or data processing?

Stress Testing is primarily concerned with determining the limits of a software application by applying maximum load or traffic to it. This method identifies how the application behaves under extreme conditions, including high traffic volumes and excessive data processing requests, ultimately revealing its breaking point.

By pushing the software beyond its typical operational capacity, stress testing helps developers understand how the application recovers from failure and whether it can maintain performance under duress. This type of testing is particularly important for applications that expect to handle a variable and potentially overwhelming amount of traffic, such as during peak usage times or when facing sudden spikes in user activity.

While load testing also involves simulating user activity, it typically focuses on normal operational conditions to ensure the application can handle expected levels of traffic. Volume testing, on the other hand, examines how the software performs as the amount of data within the system increases, while endurance testing evaluates application performance over extended periods under a normal load. Each of these testing types serves its purpose, but stress testing is singularly focused on assessing performance under conditions that exceed intended operational limits.