tRowGenerator

Creates an input flow in a Job for testing purposes, in particular for boundary
test sets.

tRowGenerator generates as many rows and fields as are required
using random values taken from a list.

Depending on the Talend solution you
are using, this component can be used in one, some or all of the following Job
frameworks:

The tRowGenerator Editor opens up on a separate window
made of two parts: a Schema definition panel at the top of the window and a Function
definition and preview panel at the bottom.

Standard: see tRowGenerator Standard properties.

The component in this framework is generally available.
MapReduce: see tRowGenerator MapReduce properties.

The component in this framework is available only if you have subscribed to one
of the
Talend
solutions with Big Data.
Spark Batch:
see tRowGenerator properties for Apache Spark Batch.

The component in this framework is available only if you have subscribed to one
of the
Talend
solutions with Big Data.
Spark Streaming:
see tRowGenerator properties for Apache Spark Streaming.

The component in this framework is available only if you have subscribed to Talend Real-time Big Data Platform or Talend Data
Fabric.
Storm: see tRowGenerator Storm properties.

The component in this framework is available only if you have subscribed to Talend Real-time Big Data Platform or Talend Data
Fabric.

tRowGenerator Standard properties

These properties are used to configure tRowGenerator running in
the Standard Job framework.

The Standard
tRowGenerator component belongs to the Misc family.

The component in this framework is generally available.

Basic settings

Schema and Edit schema	A schema is a row description. It defines the number of fields (columns) to be processed and passed on to the next component. The schema is either Built-In or stored remotely in the Repository. Click Edit schema to make changes to the schema. If the current schema is of the Repository type, three options are available: View schema: choose this option to view the schema only. Change to built-in property: choose this option to change the schema to Built-in for local changes. Update repository connection: choose this option to change the schema stored in the repository and decide whether to propagate the changes to all the Jobs upon completion. If you just want to propagate the changes to the current Job, you can select No upon completion and choose this schema metadata again in the [Repository Content] window.
	Built-In: You create and store the schema locally for this component only. Related topic: see Talend Studio User Guide.
	Repository: You have already created the schema and stored it in the Repository. You can reuse it in various projects and Job designs. Related topic: see Talend Studio User Guide.
RowGenerator editor	The editor allows you to define the columns and the nature of data to be generated. You can use predefined routines or type in the function to be used to generate the data specified. Note that in a Storm Job, the value -1 in the Number of rows for RowGenerator field in the RowGenerator editor means to generate infinite rows of input data.

Advanced settings

tStatCatcher Statistics	Select this check box to collect log data at the component level.

Global Variables

Global Variables	NB_LINE: the number of rows processed. This is an After variable and it returns an integer. ERROR_MESSAGE: the error message generated by the component when an error occurs. This is an After variable and it returns a string. This variable functions only if the Die on error check box is cleared, if the component has this check box. A Flow variable functions during the execution of a component while an After variable functions after the execution of the component. To fill up a field or expression with a variable, press Ctrl + Space to access the variable list and choose the variable to use from it. For further information about variables, see Talend Studio User Guide.

NB_LINE: the number of rows processed. This is an After
variable and it returns an integer.

ERROR_MESSAGE: the error message generated by the
component when an error occurs. This is an After variable and it returns a string. This
variable functions only if the Die on error check box is
cleared, if the component has this check box.

A Flow variable functions during the execution of a component while an After variable
functions after the execution of the component.

To fill up a field or expression with a variable, press Ctrl +
Space to access the variable list and choose the variable to use from it.

For further information about variables, see
Talend Studio

User Guide.

Usage

Usage rule	The tRowGenerator Editor’s ease of use allows users without any Java knowledge to generate random data for test purposes.

Defining the schema

First you need to define the structure of data to be generated.

Add as many columns to your schema as needed, using the plus (+) button.
Type in the names of the columns to be created in the Columns area and select the Key check box if required
Make sure you define then the nature of the data contained in the column,
by selecting the Type in the list.
According to the type you select, the list of Functions offered will differ. This information is therefore
compulsory.

Some extra information, although not required, might be useful such as
Length, Precision or Comment. You
can also hide these columns, by clicking on the Columns drop-down button next to the toolbar, and unchecking
the relevant entries on the list.
In the Function area, you can select the
predefined routine/function if one of them corresponds to your needs.You can
also add to this list any routine you stored in the Routine area of the Repository. Or you can type in the function you want to use
in the Function definition panel. Related
topic: see
Talend Studio User Guide.
Click Refresh to have a preview of the
data generated.
Type in a number of rows to be generated. The more rows to be generated,
the longer it’ll take to carry out the generation operation.

Defining the function

Select the […] under Function in the Schema definition panel in order to customize the
function parameters.

Select the Function parameters tab
The Parameter area displays Customized parameter as function name
(read-only)

In the Value area, type in the Java
function to be used to generate the data specified.
Click on the Preview tab and click
Preview to check out a sample of the
data generated.

Scenario: Generating random java data

The following scenario creates a two-component Job, generating 50 rows structured as
follows: a randomly picked-up ID in a 1-to-3 range, a random ascii First Name and Last
Name generation and a random date taken in a defined range.

Drop a tRowGenerator and a tLogRow component from the Palette to the design workspace.
Right-click tRowGenerator and select
Row > Main. Drag this main row link onto the tLogRow component and release when the plug symbol
displays.
Double click tRowGenerator to open the
Editor.
Define the fields to be generated.

The random ID column is of integer type, the First and Last names are of
string type and the Date is of date type.
In the Function list, select the relevant
function or set on the three dots for custom function.
On the Function parameters tab, define the
Values to be randomly picked up.

First_Name and Last_Name columns are
to be generated using the getAsciiRandomString function that is predefined in
the system routines. By default the length defined is 6 characters long. You can
change this if need be.
The Date column calls the predefined getRandomDate
function. You can edit the parameter values in the Function parameters tab.
Set the Number of Rows to be generated to
50.
Click OK to validate the setting.
Double click tLogRow to view the Basic
settings. The default setting is retained for this Job.
Press F6 to run the Job.

The 50 rows are generated following the setting defined in the tRowGenerator editor and the output is displayed in the Run console.