What type of testing is focused on assessing the performance of a system under various loads?

Stress testing is a specific type of performance testing aimed at evaluating how a system behaves under extreme conditions or heavy loads. The goal is to determine the system's robustness and error handling capabilities when subjected to more than its intended operational capacity. During stress testing, a system is pushed beyond its normal operational limits to identify the breaking point, assess how gracefully it handles strain, and observe any potential failures or performance degradation.

This type of testing is crucial because it helps uncover issues that may not be evident under typical load conditions, such as memory leaks, bottlenecks, or failure mechanisms that could affect user experience or system functionality in real-world scenarios. By understanding how the system responds to high stress, developers can make informed decisions to enhance stability and ensure better performance under peak usage conditions.