Operational Testing

Definition ∞ Operational testing is the process of evaluating a system, application, or process under conditions that simulate its real-world usage environment. This testing verifies functionality, performance, and reliability in a live or near-live setting. It aims to identify potential issues before deployment or during ongoing operation.
Context ∞ For blockchain networks and decentralized applications, operational testing is crucial to confirm their stability, scalability, and security under actual network load and diverse user interactions. Rigorous testing helps identify vulnerabilities in smart contracts, consensus mechanisms, or transaction processing. This practice is essential for preventing outages and securing digital assets, especially in high-value financial applications.