Dynamic data tool for testing record processing systems

A dynamic data tool for dynamically generating simulated records comprising:

• an executable program means for generating and transmitting simulated records;
• a data structure definition means for defining record structures having data fields and for inputting said record structures into said executable program means, said data structure definition means further including a means for altering said record structures at run-time;
• a test data means for inputting to said executable program means one or more actual values, each of said actual values corresponding to a data field in a simulated record, wherein said executable program means assigns each of said actual values to said data field of said simulated record prior to transmitting said simulated record, said test data means further including a means for altering said actual values at run-time;
• a default data means for inputting to said executable program means one or more default values, each default value corresponding to a data field of a simulated record;
• and
• wherein said executable program means comprises:
• a build data structure means for retrieving said record structures from said data structure definition means and building one or more of said simulated records;
• a default loading means for retrieving said default values from said default data means and loading said default values into said simulated records;
• a value parsing means for parsing and processing said actual values, wherein said value parsing means assigns said actual values to said data fields of said simulated records prior to transmitting said simulated records;
• and
• a calling pattern parsing means for parsing and processing said calling patterns.

A method for dynamically generating simulated records, comprising the steps of:

• (1) inputting one or more record structures from a text file, each of said record structures defining a simulated record and having one or more data fields;
• (2) building one or more of said simulated records from said record structures;
• (3) inputting one or more actual values from a text file, each of said actual values corresponding to a data field in said simulated record;
• (4) assigning said actual values to said data fields of said simulated records.
• (5) inputting one or more calling patterns from a text file, each of said calling patterns representing a number and frequency with which said simulated records are to be transmitted;
• (6) inputting one or more default values each of said default values corresponding to a data field of said simulated records;
• and
• (7) assigning said default values to said data fields of said simulated records.

A computer program product for use with a computer system, comprising:

• a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for enabling a computer to dynamically generate and transmit simulated records, said computer readable program code means comprising:
• first computer readable program code means for enabling the computer to generate one or more simulated records;
• second computer readable program code means for enabling the computer to input to said first computer readable program code means a text file comprising a definition for one or more record structures, each record structure defining a simulated record and having one or more data fields;
• third computer readable program code means for enabling the computer to input to said first computer readable program code means a text file comprising one or more actual values, each actual value corresponding to a data field in a simulated record, wherein said first computer readable program code means enables the computer to assign said actual value to said data field of said simulated record prior to transmitting said simulated record;
• fourth computer readable program code means for enabling the computer to input to said first computer readable program code means one or more default values, each of said default values corresponding to a data field of a simulated record, and
• wherein said first computer readable program code means comprises:
• a build data structure means for enabling the computer to retrieve said record structures from said second computer readable program means and build one or more of said simulated records,
• a default loading means for enabling the computer to retrieve said default values from said fourth computer readable program code means and load said default values into said simulated records,
• a value parsing means for enabling the computer to parse and process said actual values, wherein said value parsing means enables the computer to assign said actual values to said data fields of said simulated records prior to transmitting said simulated records, and
• a calling pattern parsing means for enabling the computer to parse and process said calling patterns.

A computer program product for use with a computer system, comprising:

• a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for enabling a computer to dynamically generate and transmit simulated records, said computer readable program code means comprising:
• first computer readable program code means for enabling the computer to generate one or more simulated records;
• second computer readable program code means for enabling the computer to input to said first computer readable program code means a text file comprising a definition for one or more record structures, each record structure defining a simulated record and having one or more data fields;
• third computer readable program code means for enabling the computer to input to said first computer readable program code means a text file comprising one or more actual values, each actual value corresponding to a data field in a simulated record, wherein said first computer readable program code means enables the computer to assign said actual value to said data field of said simulated record prior to transmitting said simulated record;
• and
• wherein said third computer readable program means further comprises:
• means for enabling the computer to input to said first computer readable program code means one or more calling patterns, each of said calling patterns representing a number and frequency with which said first computer readable program code means causes the computer to transmit said simulated records.

A dynamic data tool for dynamically generating simulated records comprising:

• an executable program means for generating and transmitting simulated records;
• a data structure definition means for defining record structures having data fields and for inputting said record structures into said executable program means, said data structure definition means further including a means for altering said record structures at run-time;
• a test data means for inputting to said executable program means one or more actual values, each of said actual values corresponding to a data field in a simulated record, wherein said executable program means assigns each of said actual values to said data field of said simulated record prior to transmitting said simulated record, said test data means further including a means for altering said actual values at run-time;
• and
• calling pattern means for inputting to said executable program means one or more calling patterns, each of said calling patterns representing a number and frequency with which said executable program means transmits said simulated records.