Explain Load Testing vs Stress Testing.

Updated Apr 28, 2026

Short answer

Load testing checks system behavior under expected load; Stress testing pushes the system beyond limits to find breaking points.

Deep explanation

Intermediate testing involves strategy and automation. TDD changes the workflow to 'Test First', which improves code quality and design. Integration testing moves away from units to verify the 'contract' between services. At this level, understanding mocks and stubs is vital for isolating dependencies.

Real-world example

Automating a checkout flow using Selenium or Playwright where the database is mocked to speed up execution.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 'Brittle' UI tests that break every time a CSS class changes.

Follow-up questions

  • What is 'shifting left' in testing?

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