TestBench for IBM i vs. DTM Data Generator

Managing and testing data for IBM i, IBM iSeries, and AS/400 systems necessitates a meticulous approach to validating intricate applications, right down to the data they rely on. TestBench for IBM i provides a powerful and dependable framework for managing test data, verifying its integrity, and conducting unit tests, all while integrating effortlessly with other tools to enhance overall application quality. Rather than replicating the entire production database, you can concentrate on the critical data necessary for your testing operations. By selecting or sampling relevant data without compromising referential integrity, you can optimize the testing workflow. It becomes straightforward to pinpoint which data fields need protection, allowing you to implement various obfuscation methods to ensure data security. Furthermore, you can keep track of every data operation, including inserts, updates, and deletions, as well as their intermediate states. Establishing automatic alerts for data abnormalities through customizable rules can greatly minimize the need for manual monitoring. This methodology eliminates the cumbersome save and restore processes, clarifying any discrepancies in test outcomes that may arise from insufficient initial data. While comparing outputs remains a standard practice for validating test results, it can be labor-intensive and prone to errors; however, this cutting-edge solution can significantly cut down on the time required for testing, resulting in a more efficient overall process. With TestBench, not only can you improve your testing precision, but you can also conserve valuable resources, allowing for a more streamlined development cycle. Ultimately, adopting such innovative tools can lead to enhanced software quality and more reliable deployment outcomes.

The test data generation engine is designed for speed and efficiency, boasting around 70 integrated functions along with an expression processor that empowers users to produce complex test data reflecting dependencies, internal structures, and relationships. Notably, this advanced tool autonomously inspects existing database schemas to pinpoint master-detail key relationships, all without needing any action from the user. In addition, the Value Library provides a rich array of predefined datasets covering various categories, such as names, countries, cities, streets, currencies, companies, industries, and departments. Features like Variables and Named Generators make it easy to share data generation attributes among similar columns, enhancing productivity. Moreover, the intelligent schema analyzer contributes to creating more realistic data without requiring additional changes to the project, while the "data by example" function simplifies the task of enhancing data authenticity with very little effort. Ultimately, this tool is distinguished by its intuitive interface, making the process of generating high-quality test data not only efficient but also accessible for users of varying expertise. Its combination of automation and rich features sets a new standard in test data generation.