JMeter, introduced by Apache Jakarta, is a pure Java desktop application and a widely used software testing tool. It is an open source tool used for load testing client/server applications and allows you to measure and analyze the performance of various services and web applications. It can be used in the form of a unit test for FTP, Webservices, HTTP, JDBC database connections, LDAP, JMS and TCP connections.

To test the strength of JMeter, you can simulate heavy load on an object, a network or a server. Moreover, it is easy to evaluate its performance under diverse load types.

The JMeter Software Testing Tool

Here’s why you should use the JMeter load testing tool:

Free: While software testing tools such as WinRunner and LoadRunner are rather expensive, JMeter is a free downloadable soft. You can easily download the software from http://jakarta.apache.org/ or http://www.toggle.com/.

Easy to use: JMeter has an interactive GUI (Graphical User Interface), which makes it very easy for users to navigate. Moreover, you can use it right from the time you begin developing the application. You can easily create graphical analysis of performance or of the behavior of your server/object/script during heavy load.

Open source: Depending upon your technical skills and the time at hand, you can modify the tool or add interactive new features.

Easily replaceable: One of the best aspects of using JMeter is that it can be easily replaced with another tool.

Fast: JMeter starts fast through plugins, saving time and preventing frustration.

No need to manually create HTTP requests: JMeter has a HTTP Proxy Server element that records all your actions in the form of auto generated HTTP requests. It even records hidden fields.

Works on static and dynamic resources: You may use JMeter to test performance on Servlets, Java Ojects, files, Databases and queries, Perl Scripts, FTP server, etc.

Of course, being an open source tool, JMeter does not guarantee either support or further development. This would be the case with any open source tool and there are some online communities that offer support and you could try putting your questions to them.