What is included in the database load time?
Generally speaking, the database load time includes loading of the data as well as other operations which are necessary to prepare the system for the performance test. Some of these activities are the creation of indexes, gathering of database statistics, and configuration of the system under test. The database load test is considered to have begun when the test sponsor begins table creation, and to have ended when the SUT is capable of running the performance test without any further change. The database load may be decomposed into several phases. For example, a test sponsor may generate the data for one table into a flat file and then load it into a table, then may repeat the process for another table either immediately afterward or after some delay. The database load time is the sum of the elapsed time of all phases between the end points of the database load test.
