RapidACE v2 is now generating raw test data based on the Data Model.  It also generates Informatica ETL mappings for Stage to Vault, including maplets, shortcuts, reusable sessions, reusable transformations, and so on.  There are a whole host of generation options embedded in RapidACE v2 now that I have the template engine in working in full force.

Test data…

RapidACE is not the fastest, nor the most robust test data generation tool on the market.  A really good tool for generating huge amounts of test data is: RowGen from IRI, the CoSort Company.  RowGen is written in Assembly language and C++, and is threaded.  RowGen (with the right scripts) can generate MASSIVE amounts of test data very very quickly.  I really like the tool, and one of the things that I will do shortly is generate RowGen Scripts from RapidACE v2, so you have options.

For now, RapidACE v2 generates raw test data based on the DDL.  The test data does not pay any attention to foreign key constrains, so it’s best applied in generating test data for loading to the staging area.  However, it reads DDL structures, and a “row-count” configuration that tells it how many rows to generate.   If you are in a pinch and need some rows (10 rows to 1 Million rows) of test data for staging loads, then RapidACE v2 is the engine for you.  If you are looking for serious enterprise test data generation, then I’d highly recommend RowGen from CoSort (IRI routines).

Of course, you could always use the test data generation component built in to Pentaho to accomplish the task, or I could show you how to generate test data with the Java Transform directly inside Informatica.

Either way, it’s a great basic place to start, if you’re in a pinch.

Informatica PowerCenter Maps, Sessions, Workflows

RapidACE v2, also generates FULL BLOWN INFORMATICA POWERCENTER v9 mappings, shortcuts, sources, targets, maplets, transformations, sessions, worklets, and workflows.  If you can “draw it” in Informatica, then I can convert it to a template and generate it for you against specific “table classifications” like Links, Sats, Staging, Hubs, Dimensions, Facts, etc…   And NO… you DON’T have to be using Data Vault to use RapidACE v2!!!

Cheers mates,
Dan Linstedt
PS: anyone with questions should feel free to contact me (use the contact form here).