 |
|
DataGen - The test data generator you
were expecting for...
|
May.2007 : The future of DataGen
We're actively working on the next version of DataGen, "DataGen Studio
3". At this time no release date has been announced, but here are some
information..
The new product will run under .NET, it is being fully rewritten using Visual
Studio and C#. Currently the core library is functionnal and we will start to
work on the interface. If the principle of DataGen will remain the same, the
new product will be more powerful and flexible (yes, it is possible !). A lot
of new generators has been added. We don't want to speak too much before the
release but just one example : we added a generator allowing you to code in
C#... It then becomes possible to generate some very complex data depending
on your business logic.
Of course, as we always did for all our products, DataGen 2.x users will benefit
a special upgrade price when Studio 3 will be available.
Feb.2007 : DataGen 2.1 has been released !
The new version of DataGen has been released. A lot of new features to test
are waiting you. Download now the new Demo !
Running under Win32 and (optionaly) using OleDb to connect databases, this new
version is really fantastic. The product can be supplied in English or in French,
the interface and the doc has been fully translated.
What is a test data generator ?
A test data generator is a software that can fill a database with random data
to :
- Test the behavior of an existing software on a big data
amount;
- Test a software under construction;
- Stress a database to test it with a true-life data load;
- Simulate the behavior of a software when developping a
fake or a demo ...
Why are you needing a test data generator ?
Testing an application is certainly the most important thing as the cost of
maintenance releases (even for application used in the same company) is very
high. On the other hand, a product can be rejected by users only because the
first versions are too buggy. Users are definitively not beta testers !
As most applications are using data (from files - Xml, Csv, text.. - or from
a database) it is really important to test them against realistic datasets.
Using existing datasets is generaly not a good idea because they are always
particular cases and just reflect a particular use. A good test must be done
using all possible cases not just a few ones, even if the latters are the common
ones the application will have to deal with.
Thus, as you need a compiler to transform ideas into a usable application, you
need a test data generator to be sure the latter will work correctly.
Random but meaningful !
Generating true randon data is not always the best solution because no human
eye can see a bug among thousand of data records when all fields are looking
like garbage.... If there is a bug in a report, nobody will see that "xT1LlOxe0zrzPd"
is different of "xT1LIOxe0zrzPd".
Moreover, can you see the difference ? sure you can't.... the 5th character
of the first string is a lower case "L" and an upper case "i"
in the second one. If those fields have been "Bob" and "Julia"
you would have seen the difference... So get E-NAXOS DATAGEN !
That's why there is E-NAXOS DATAGEN !
The solution has a name : E-NAXOS DATAGEN.
While other test data generators are only generating meaningless data, E-NAXOS
DATAGEN can generate meaningful data in a few clicks.
How is it working ?
E-NAXOS DATAGEN has been created to make things as simple as possible
: create a database connection (optional) and in a few clicks select the target
table. Then create the "generators" that are linked to the
table fields. Each generator can be seen as a little robot specialized in a
particular data type generation. No more. ... Well you'll have to click the
"generate data" button...
With E-NAXOS DATAGEN generate simple & complex database schemas !
With E-NAXOS DATAGEN create more than one table generation model, group models
within a generation plan that can be played back at will !
Do you need more ? Of course you need... True life databases must respect
referential integrity. With E-NAXOS DATAGEN you can use the "column
reference" generator to link a field to an existing data source, being
a table that have been generated previously by E-NAXOS DATAGEN !
Universal data export !
E-NAXOS DATAGEN can generate the data following four ways :
- SQL Script you can play back in your database manager;
- CSV file, the data exchange most standard format;
- XML file, the new data exchange format;
- Direct OleDB data filling.
It is possible to create a data generation model without any connection to
a database and it is possible to generate data in this same situation. E-NAXOS
DATAGEN is a flexible solution that will fit any situation!
Big test database !
E-NAXOS DATAGEN is supplied with big test data files with thousands
of records. Ideal for generating realistic-looking and meaningful data!
Specialized generators for ease of use !
E-NAXOS DATAGEN data generation engine is based upon the concept of stand-alone
generators. Each generator has been created to simplify the generation
of a given data type. Thus, if you wan to generate a first name, you will use
the... first name generator... If you want to generate a Zip code ... you guessed...
you will use the Zip code generator. And so on.
Making things simpler is not possible!
Multi-language data generation !
When this makes sense, E-NAXOS DATAGEN is offering you the possibility to switch
from "French mode" to "US/World mode". Thus you can generate
French city names or world city names, you can also generate postal address
in French-like or American-like style, etc...
External database, use your own data !
E-NAXOS DATAGEN is not only simple to use, it is also highly customizable
: A generator can always be connected to an external data file.
So what if you have to generate random precise values for a field ? ... just
create a text file using notepad, write a value per line and connect this file
to E-NAXOS DATAGEN. That's all !
Generating random but meaningful data is then always possible !
Complex field values
One of the most amazing feature of E-NAXOS DATAGEN is the combo generator.
This one is able to create a single value from the values of other generators.
Thus, generated a complex field value is just as easy as kid cube playing :
just add a list of generators to the "combo" each one will generate
a part of the complex final value !
Simple and powerfull at a very low price !
"Such a gem is certainly costing too much for me" are you perhaps
thinking... Smile ! E-NAXOS DATAGEN is sold only for 399 Euros
! More than half the price of competitors that are not offering all the functionnalties
of DataGen...
More services ?
You need something more ? A very specialized generator for a particular field
? Or a complete data generation plan for a given complex database ? Yes ! We
can provide you with a wide range of services around E-NAXOS DATAGEN ! Contact
us for more information.
|