Populating Columns with Test Data

You can use test data to quickly fill your database with large amounts of data in order to test its performance, and estimate its size. You can also use test data as the basis for data profiling. PowerDesigner allows you to create test data profiles, which generate or provide lists of data items and are assigned to columns or domains. You can create test data profiles that contain number, character, or date/time data.

For example, you could create a test data profile called Address, that specifies test character data that is appropriate to represent addesses, and then associate that profile with the columns Employee Location, Store Location, and Client Address.

If you associate a test data profile with a domain, its data will be generated to all columns that are attached to the domain. If you specify a data profile as the default for its type, its data will be generated to all columns that are not associated with another profile.

You can create a test data profile in any of the following ways:

Select Model > Test Data Profiles to access the List of Test Data Profiles, and click the Add a Row tool
Right-click the model (or a package) in the Browser, and select New > Test Data Profile

Note: You can import and export test data profiles to reuse them across multiple models by using the commands under the: Tools > Test Data Profile menu. The *.xpf file format can contain one or more test data profiles.

Test Data Profile Properties
To view or edit a test data profile's properties, double-click its Browser or list entry. The property sheet tabs and fields listed here are those available by default, before any customization of the interface by you or an administrator.
Assigning Test Data Profiles to Columns
You can associate a test data profile directly to a column or to a domain.

Parent topic: Columns (PDM)