Frequently asked technical questions
"Without the Grid-Tools data generation product, the tight delivery dates for our project could certainly have slipped."
Richard Buckley,
Technical Director,
Applied
Card Technologies
Got a technical question?
- Can historical data be generated if we need it?
- Does the tool also carry out performance testing?
- If we need to create data in Amdocs module (Oracle 10g), can we?
- If so, what are the dependencies for the tool to be able to create it and the person creating it?
- Do they need to understand the data model for Amdocs module?
- Can the tool create data into the flat files?
- Or add to the existing flat files?
- How can the tool handle the transformation logic of some of the data that will be performed?
FAQ questions and answers
- Can historical data be generated if we need it?
- Does the tool also carry out performance testing?
- If we need to create data in Amdocs module (Oracle 10g), can we?
- If so, what are the dependencies for the tool to be able to create it and the person creating it?
- Do they need to understand the data model for Amdocs module?
- Can the tool create data into the flat files?
- Or add to the existing flat files?
- How can the tool handle the transformation logic of some of the data that will be performed?
Yes, historical data can be generated by Datamaker™ if needed in the appropriate phase/phases of testing.
Datamaker™ is not specifically designed for that. However, you can use it to bulk up databases so they can be used for performance tests. It does depend a little bit on the data structures and how you access them. But, for example, you could generate a million new people to flat file and load them into your HR system using the tool.
When dealing with an ERP we normally use the standard batch interfaces or apis to push the data into the system. If you get us some technical details we’ll make sure this is a smooth process. We usually don’t push data directly into the back-end database, although this can be done as you have to spend a little time understanding the model, or running some database compares, to see which rows have been added.
Normally you just register the Api/Interface table to the tool then add in any relationships between Apis, for example, “Add A person” is related to the “Add an Address”. The next stage is to start adding in a mixture of static data to the data definition as well as random data, for example, this person is a MGR, their address is a random address in California.
No, just the Api/Interface normally. This is usually fairly standard and well documented. You could also record screen activity using tools such as QTP or AQA, we then manage the data that feeds these tools to put the data directly in using the front end application.
Yes, absolutely. You can also access the back-end database tables to help you build the flat files. So, for example, you may wish to add in valid JOB TYPES to the file by looking them up from a target or source system.
Yes, we can add to the existing flat files and enhance them. We can also store the file and supplement it, age it, subset it and manage the version control as well as other features.
The functions we have can perform transformations and selection. These are normally enough, however, once you have a nice rich data input file you could use an existing transformation tool such as Informatica, Pervasive, TIPCO, etc to move the data on into the application.
