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Value Calculator. How does the program save your money and time?
So, you have decided that getting quality and realistic data for analyzing
and testing your database is important for you. Assume that your database consists of 30 tables
linked by relationships, and some of the fields have check constraints. Here are several methods
to generate data for testing:
- Method 1: preparing test data and scripts manually,
- Method 2: using simplest data generators that provide only basic functionality,
- Method 3: using data generators of middle price category ($100-$200),
- Method 4: using SQL test data tools of higher price category ($500 and higher),
- using DTM Data Generator
The task of test data generation is split into several steps. Let's look at the
expenses demanded by each of these methods (the cost of an hour's work of the specialist is
calculated according to a $50/hr rate)
| Step |
Method 1 |
Method 2 |
Method 3 |
Method 4 |
DTM Data Generator |
| Tools cost (US$) |
0 |
50 |
150 |
500 |
159 |
| Preparation |
0 |
0.5 hours (installation and learning) |
0.5 hours (installation and learning) |
1 hour (installation and learning) |
0.5 hours (installation and learning) |
| Tables cleaning (determining execution order, cleaning) |
2 hours |
2 hours (built-in tools not present, use Method 1) |
2 hours (built-in tools not present, use Method 1) |
0 (automated) |
0 (a rule is added by one click after the task is formed) |
| Determining the order of filling the tables (FK and PK analyze) |
2 hours |
2 hours (built-in tools not present, use Method 1) |
2 hours (built-in tools not present, use Method 1) |
0 (automated) |
0.1 hours (tables selection in Rule Wizard) |
| Well known data arrays preparation (countries, cities, etc) |
5 hours |
5 hours (built-in tools not present, use Method 1) |
0 (supplied with the product) |
0 (supplied with the product) |
0 (supplied with the product) |
| Tables filling (constraints analyze, PK and FK analyze, etc) |
0.5 * 30 tables = 15 hours |
0.1 * 30 tables = 3 hours |
0.1 hours |
0.1 hours |
0.1 hours (rules are created automatically by the Rule Wizard) |
| Analyze and data scrubbing after generation |
3 hours (all data integrity rules) |
3 hours (all data integrity rules) |
1 hours (check constraints) |
0 (usually not required) |
0 (usually not required) |
| SUMMARY |
27 hrs = $1350 |
15.5 hrs + $50 = $825 |
5,6 hrs + $150 = $430 |
1.1 hrs + $500 = $555 |
0,7 hrs + $159 = $194 |
The time of executing scripts or programs is not taken into account in the
table as they are usually executed automatically; we only estimate the time spent
on preparation. To estimate the expenses we used our own materials and clients' references.
So, our tool will save from $236 to $1154 for you when you create the first data generation task.
When there are more than 30 tables in the database or when you have to fill several
databases the savings can considerably grow. Are there any reasons that can make you
refuse such economy? If there are, please tell us about them.
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