Data Generation is a capability to insert random data into a database, part of Redgate Test Data Manager solution.

It's available in the GUI and via a x-database and x-OS Command Line Interface (CLI) client called DataGenerator.

We would love to hear feedback from you, so please get in touch with your thoughts and suggestions.

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What is data generation?

Data generation inserts randomly generated data into a database while maintaining referential integrity.

One practical business use-case for data generation is creating a database with your real schema for testing purposes with no risk that it contains any real data which may be sensitive. Alternatively, it might be useful for creating a very large database  for performance testing.

About our tool

The data generator takes the connection string of the target database and analyses the database to compute the relational hierarchy and figure out how to generate valid rows for each table. It starts by filling tables that don't have any foreign keys with data, then the tables that only have foreign keys to those and so on until all the tables have been filled.

The current version of the data generator supports 4 database engines: MySql, Oracle, PostgreSql and SqlServer.

There are some known limitations listed in our troubleshooting guide.

Where to next?

1. Getting started:
   • Have a quick look at our glossary to gain familiarity with some of the involved concepts.
   • Confirm you meet the data generation requirements.
   • Proceed to installing the Data Generator CLI.
   • Be sure to take a peek at the current known limitations listed in our troubleshooting guide.
2. Running data generation:
   
   • Pick a database engine from our list of supported ones.
   • Choose a target database to generate into. There are hints here on ways to create a target database.
   • Run the data generator (check the CLI reference for details, or follow the worked examples
3. If something goes wrong:
   • Take a look at the troubleshooting and known limitations section for known issues and workarounds.
   • If the above is not enough, please do get in touch.