What Is Server-Side Testing?

Server-side testing is a technique that expands upon client-side testing, allowing for more sophisticated tests on deeper parts of applications beyond just front-end features. It renders all tests on the server instead of the visitor's browser and has gained traction in various industries, particularly among ecommerce retailers. The key differences between client-side and server-side testing include the ability to test complex back-end elements with server-side testing, as well as its capacity for deep insights into full application stacks. Common methodologies for server-side testing include A/B and multivariate testing. Feature flags are a valuable tool in running server-side tests, allowing developers and product managers to toggle feature functionality on and off without deploying code. LaunchDarkly's feature management platform offers an experimentation add-on that enables both front-end and back-end (server-side) experiments.