Company
Date Published
Author
Tom Miseur
Word count
1560
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Load testing can be challenging, particularly when scripts produce unexpected HTTP error codes or fail to create the intended outcomes, such as missing database records. Debugging these issues can be complex due to the intricacies of HTTP conversations, especially when dealing with websites rather than APIs and involving dynamic identifiers, necessitating correlation. A web debugging proxy (WDP) can be a valuable tool, acting as a man-in-the-middle to intercept and display HTTP traffic, including encrypted HTTPS data, for analysis. WDPs provide a user-friendly interface to view and compare HTTP requests and responses, which can be particularly useful for identifying problems that aren't evident through console logs or default debugging methods. To use a WDP with the k6 load testing tool, users need to configure specific environment variables to route HTTP/S traffic through the proxy, allowing the examination of both request parameters and responses. While effective, users should disable the proxy for actual load testing due to potential performance issues. The use of WDPs, alongside tools like Postman, can facilitate the creation of accurate and efficient load testing scripts by revealing hidden issues and enabling comparisons with browser-based recordings.