GENERATING AND MONITORING DATA ITEMS

• US 20110161934A1
• Filed: 12/29/2009
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aptitude Software Ltd. (Aptitude Software Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Aptitude Software Group Plc
• Inventors: Thomson, Neil, Pusz, Grzegorz Roman
• Application Number:
  US12/648,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20110161934A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/125
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3684 for test design, e.g. generating new test cases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating dummy data for use in testing a data processing application using a computing device having a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device. A developer specifies attributes of dummy data, and specifies at least one probability distribution. A representation of the probability distribution is then shown on the display device and the probability distribution is applied to the specified attributes to generate dummy data values.

Claims

1. A method of generating dummy data for use in testing a data processing application using a computing device having a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device, the method comprising:

allowing a developer to specify attributes of dummy data;

allowing a developer to specify at least one probability distribution;

showing on the display device a representation of the probability distribution; and

applying the probability distribution to the specified attributes to generate dummy data values.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the probability distribution is specified using any of a minimum value, a maximum value, a mean value, a standard deviation value, central moment values, and a set of values specifying a probability of data values being selected.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each dummy data entry comprises a hierarchical structure of data values, the method further comprising generating a first data value within the hierarchical structure, and generating a further data value within the hierarchical structure in dependence of the first generated data value.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dummy data values are selected from any of numerical values, string values and date-time values.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising creating a set of data comprising both generated dummy data values and real data values.

6. A method of monitoring a data processing operation using a computing device having a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device, the method comprising:

retrieving from the memory and providing on the display device a monitoring node icon;

allowing a developer of the data processing operation to associate the monitoring node icon with a data processing node in the data processing operation;

beginning the data processing operation; and

providing on the display device a representation of information relating to data processing at the data processing node.

7. The method according to claim 6, further wherein the information relating to data processing is selected from real time information and cumulative information relating to data processing.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the information relating to data processing is provided as a call out display showing real time data processing.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the information relating to data processing is provided as a chart showing cumulative data processing and a table showing one of real time data processing and cumulative data processing.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising prior to beginning the data processing operation, displaying a plurality of monitoring indicators, each monitoring indicator defining an aspect of the data processing to be monitored;

and

allowing the developer to select a monitoring indicator;

allowing the developer to associate the selected monitoring indicator with one of the chart and the table; and

as a result of the association, after data processing to be monitored, displaying the aspect of the data processing to be monitored in one of the chart and the table.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising, prior to beginning the data processing operation,

allowing the developer to define a monitoring indicator the monitoring indicator defining an aspect of the data processing to be monitored;

allowing the developer to associate the selected monitoring indicator with one of the chart and the table; and

as a result of the association, after data processing to be monitored, displaying the aspect of the data processing to be monitored in one of the chart and the table.

12. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

allowing the developer to associate a plurality monitoring node icons with a plurality of data processing nodes;

allowing the developer to select a monitoring indicator performance most critical to the critical path in the data processing operation; and

after beginning the data processing operation, indicating at least one data processing node of the plurality of data processing nodes having a monitoring indicator performance lower than a monitoring indicator performance of other data processing nodes of the plurality of data processing nodes.

13. A programmed computer comprising at least a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device, wherein said computer is programmed to perform a method of generating dummy data for use in testing a data processing application, the method comprising:

allowing a developer to specify attributes of dummy data;

allowing a developer to specify at least one probability distribution;

showing on the display device a representation of the probability distribution; and

applying the probability distribution to the specified attributes to generate dummy data values.

14. A computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for performing a method of generating dummy data for use in testing a data processing application using a computing device having at least a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device, the method comprising:

allowing a developer to specify attributes of dummy data;

allowing a developer to specify at least one probability distribution;

showing on the display device a representation of the probability distribution; and

applying the probability distribution to the specified attributes to generate dummy data values.