http://jira.codehaus.org/browse/GEOS-6187 - comparing Geoserver 2.3.5 with 2.4.3 for various GML/WFS versions, server/client-specified maxFeatures, resultTypes, and hitsIgnoreMaxFeatures settings (2.4).

geoserver-23.txt

GEOSERVER 2.3.5

GML2      results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=10   actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=5    actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
GML2      hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
gml/3.1.1 results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=10   actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=5    actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=10   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=5    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
gml/3.1.1 hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=10   numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=5    numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=10   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=5    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90

geoserver-24-hitsIgnoreMaxFeatures.txt

GEOSERVER 2.4.3 - wfs.hitsIgnoreMaxFeatures=1

GML2      results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=-1
GML2      hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=-1
gml/3.1.1 results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=-1
gml/3.1.1 hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=-1
gml/3.2   results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=90   numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=90   numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=-1
gml/3.2   hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=-1

geoserver-24.txt

GEOSERVER 2.4.3 - wfs.hitsIgnoreMaxFeatures=0

GML2      results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
GML2      results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
GML2      hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
GML2      hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
gml/3.1.1 results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.1.1 hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
gml/3.1.1 hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   results 1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   results 2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=90   numberOfFeatures=None actual=10   numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   results 2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=90   numberOfFeatures=None actual=5    numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   hits    1.1.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.1.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=90   actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    1.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=None numberOfFeatures=0    actual=0    numberMatched=None
gml/3.2   hits    2.0.0 limit=[10]: numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90
gml/3.2   hits    2.0.0 limit=5   : numberReturned=0    numberOfFeatures=None actual=0    numberMatched=90

test.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

import re
import sys

import requests


URL = 'http://localhost:8080/geoserver/sf/ows?service=WFS&request=GetFeature&typeName=sf:bugsites'
FEATURE_ELEMENT = r'<sf:bugsites\b'
FORMATS = [
    'GML2',
    'text/xml;%20subtype=gml/3.1.1',
    'text/xml;%20subtype=gml/3.2',
]

COUNT_FIELDS = ['numberOfFeatures', 'numberMatched', 'numberReturned']
VERSIONS = {
    '1.0.0': 'maxFeatures',
    '1.1.0': 'maxFeatures',
    '2.0.0': 'count',
}
SERVER_MAX_FEATURES = 10  # set in wfs.xml


for hits_ignore_max_features in [False, True]:
    raw_input("\nSET SERVER wfs.hitsIgnoreMaxFeatures=%s\n" % hits_ignore_max_features)

    for output_format in FORMATS:
        for result_type in [None, 'hits']:
            for version, limit_param in VERSIONS.items():
                for max_features in [None, '5']:
                    url = URL \
                        + "&version=%s" % version \
                        + "&outputFormat=%s" % output_format
                    if result_type:
                        url += '&resultType=%s' % result_type
                    if max_features:
                        url += '&%s=%s' % (limit_param, max_features)

                    print "%-9s %-7s %s limit=%-4s:" % (output_format.split('=')[-1], result_type or 'results', version, max_features or '[%d]' % SERVER_MAX_FEATURES,),
                    r = requests.get(url)
                    counts = {
                        'actual': len(re.findall(FEATURE_ELEMENT, r.text)),
                    }
                    for field in COUNT_FIELDS:
                        m = re.search(r'%s="(.+?)"' % field, r.text)
                        if not m:
                            counts[field] = None
                        else:
                            counts[field] = m.group(1)

                    print ' '.join('%s=%-4s' % (f, v) for f, v in counts.items())

                    if version == '2.0.0' and output_format == 'text/xml;%20subtype=gml/3.1.1':
                        # https://jira.codehaus.org/browse/GEOS-6134
                        pass
                    elif not result_type and counts['actual'] == 0:
                        print "\t%s" % url
                    elif result_type and not len(filter(lambda x: x[0] != 'actual' and x[1] is not None, counts.items())):
                        print "\t%s" % url

• default binary downloads of the releases
• wfs.citeCompliant=false
• server wfs.maxFeatures is 10 for everything
• the layer has 90 features in it
• actual is the number of feature elements in the GML FeatureCollection, the other counts are the FeatureCollection attributes (obviously presence of numberOfFeatures vs numberMatched/numberReturned depends on WFS & GML versions)