10 Interview Questions for LoadRunner (With Sample Answers)
Companies need to test new software programs carefully before putting them on the market. By running quality assurance tests, programmers can find problems and fix them so that programs work better. If you’re looking for a job as a software developer or performance tester, you might want to study some common questions about LoadRunner, a popular software testing tool. In this article, we list 10 questions about LoadRunner that you might be asked at your next job interview. We also show you how to answer them in a professional way and give you tips on how to make a good impression on hiring managers.
Here are 10 questions about LoadRunner and how to answer them.
Here are 10 questions that hiring managers often ask software developers and performance testers at job interviews, along with examples of how to answer them in a professional way:
1. What are the biggest differences between performance testing and performance engineering?
Even though both performance testing and performance engineering are important, it’s important to know how they are different. If the hiring manager asks you this, you can show that you know how to use LoadRunner by describing each process and telling them what order you would do them in.
Example: “Performance testing is done first, and then performance engineering is done. During this phase, you gather requirements, write scripts, run the program, share the results, and make reports. Once performance testing is done, developers and performance testers can move on to the performance engineering phase. During this phase, the results are looked at to find possible bottlenecks, problems are fixed, and solutions for improving performance are made.”
2. What is parameterization, and why might you want to use it?
Developers who want to send unique values to a server need to use parameterization. So, they can test software by acting out how real users would. Hiring managers may ask you this question to find out how much experience you have sending dynamic values for simulations like these.
Example: “Developers use parameterization to replace hardcoded values like usernames, passwords, and URLs with a parameter that can take different values. I’ve used parameterization to simulate how an application would be used in the real world because it stops the server from caching results. For example, if I’m running tests with a single virtual user, I use this method to make sure that each time we run the tests, we use different data.”
3.Can you explain each step in the life cycle of performance testing?
It’s important for a performance tester to do things in the right order. Hiring managers might ask you this question to see if you know the basics of how to run a performance test with LoadRunner. To show how well you know this program, make a list of each step in the performance testing life cycle and put them in order.
Example: “There are six important steps in the life cycle of performance testing. The first thing to do is to look at the system and figure out which transactions are the most important. The next step is to record scripts for virtual users or make them yourself. Then, the people who make software decide how users will act, and then they make load test scenarios. During the last steps of the performance testing life cycle, load test scenarios are run, their performance is tracked, and the results are analyzed.”
4.In the scripting and running phases, how do you use Vuser logs?
During these stages, two different kinds of Vuser logs are used by developers. This is a question a hiring manager might ask to find out how well you know how these things work. Explain each one briefly and talk about how you usually use it.
Example: “To debug scripts, you must use Vuser logs. When a script is running, I use a standard log to keep track of the messages and functions that are sent to the server. I also use a longer log to find other warnings and important messages. This helps me figure out what problems might come up and how to solve them.”
5. What does it mean to “test the load”?
Load testing is an important step that can save money on application repairs, reduce downtime, and make customers happier. Hiring managers might ask you this question early on in the process to see if you can solve problems with software.
Example: “Load testing is a way for software developers and application testers to see how well a program works when many people are using it at the same time. The main goal is to see if the program can be used a lot. This lets the programmers know when the program is used the most so they can fix any problems and make the program better.”
6.How would you use VuGen to look over images and text?
Developers and people who test how well programs and apps work need to be thorough when they look at them. LoadRunner’s VuGen is a virtual user generator that lets professionals make testing scripts that act like real users and automatically scan parts of an application. When you answer this question, be sure to list the exact functions you could use to review texts and images. This will show that you know how to use VuGen well.
Example: “I would first turn on image and text review in the runtime settings. Then I’d use the function web find to check the program’s text. After that, I would use the function web image check to check all the images in the program.”
7. What order does the code run in each part of a LoadRunner script?
Even though this seems like a simple question, hiring managers may ask it to find out how you think about running script sections. Focus on explaining each step you take and giving a little bit of background on what each step does.
Example: “I start by logging into an application or server and running the Vuser init script. Next, I put in place the action script. The code I need to test how the app works is in the action script. Last, I use the Vuser end script to log out of the application or server.”
8. Can the level at which think time starts to count down be changed? How?
Think time is the amount of time software developers put into tests to try to figure out how long it would take a real user to do something in an app. You can answer this question by giving a short summary of the steps you would take to change this preset.
Example: “Yes, developers can change how long it takes to think to better mimic how the user feels. I would click the “recorded options” button and then open the “script” menu to change the “think time” that was already set. Then I would choose the option that gave me more time to think than the threshold.”
9.Can you tell me what the main differences are between manual correlation and automatic correlation?
Correlation is a way for programmers to deal with the values that change in a script. This is important because the value can change depending on what or who the user is. Hiring managers may ask you this question to see if you can handle these changing values and make sure they are carried out well.
Example: “Automatic correlation plays back the script and checks it against a set of rules that have already been set up. This saves time for developers and makes it easier to find any problems that might be happening. Developers have to find the first time a dynamic value is used to figure out what it is, which takes more time. Then, they need to set up the unique boundaries that will be used to capture the dynamic value and write a function called web reg save parem that works with it.”
10.How would you tell your team about a set of automatic correlation rules you made in LoadRunner?
Developers often work with other people on their teams when making apps. Even if you work from home, it’s important to be able to share information easily. This is a question that hiring managers might ask to find out how much you know about working on projects with other developers.
Example: “I would export the automatic correlation rules as a.cor file and share it with the rest of my team. Also, I would tell them how to use VuGen to import this file. After they open the file, they can go to all of the automatic correlation rules from their own workstations.”
Tips for an interview
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next interview for a job as a software developer or performance tester and increase your chances of getting the job:
- Pay close attention to writing, doing, and analyzing. Most of the questions hiring managers ask about LoadRunner fall into these three categories, so make sure you know how each process works.
- LoadRunner should be changed. With each new version, LoadRunner gets new features and skills. Download the latest version of LoadRunner and use it often to make sure you know the best ways to do things in your field.
- Prepare for questions that are based on situations. Hiring managers often ask situational questions to find out what you would do at work if you were in a similar situation. Find out what the most common situational questions are so you can be ready for them at your interview.
- Set up a pretend interview. Ask a trusted coworker who has experience with software development to help you prepare for your interview by asking you questions in person or over video chat. This can make you feel better about yourself at the real job interview.
