Generating test data record set populations

A system for using target metadata of a target data record set population to generate a test data record set population, the system comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor in communication with the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform a method comprising:
• analyzing the target metadata, the target metadata containing, for each individual target data record set of the target data record set population, a value for a first metadata parameter and a value for a second metadata parameter, wherein the target data record set population as a whole has a first set values for the first metadata parameter distributed among a first plurality of value ranges and a second set of values for the second metadata parameter distributed among a second plurality of value ranges;
• calculating, based on the analyzing the target metadata, first and second groups of proportions for the target data record set population, wherein the first group of proportions has, for each value range of the first plurality of value ranges, a proportion of the first set of values within that particular value range and the second group of proportions has, for each value range of the second plurality of value ranges, a proportion of the second set of values within that particular value range;
• and
• generating, based on at least the first and second groups of proportions, the test data record set population, wherein the test data record set population meets a set of predetermined criteria, wherein each individual test data record set of the test data record set population has a value for a first metadata parameter and a value for a second metadata parameter, and wherein the test data record set population as a whole has a third set of values for the first metadata parameter distributed among the first plurality of value ranges and a fourth set of values for the second metadata parameter distributed among the second plurality of value ranges.

A computer program product for using target metadata of a target data record set population to generate a test data record set population, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

• analyzing the target metadata, the target metadata containing, for each individual target data record set of the target data record set population, a value for a first metadata parameter and a value for a second metadata parameter, wherein the target data record set population as a whole has a first set values for the first metadata parameter distributed among a first plurality of value ranges and a second set of values for the second metadata parameter distributed among a second plurality of value ranges;
• calculating, based on the analyzing the target metadata, first and second groups of proportions for the target data record set population, wherein the first group of proportions has, for each value range of the first plurality of value ranges, a proportion of the first set of values within that particular value range and the second group of proportions has, for each value range of the second plurality of value ranges, a proportion of the second set of values within that particular value range;
• and
• generating, based on at least the first and second groups of proportions, the test data record set population, wherein the test data record set population meets a set of predetermined criteria, wherein each individual test data record set of the test data record set population has a value for a first metadata parameter and a value for a second metadata parameter, and wherein the test data record set population as a whole has a third set of values for the first metadata parameter distributed among the first plurality of value ranges and a fourth set of values for the second metadata parameter distributed among the second plurality of value ranges.