schwern/Test-Sims

Perl module to help build up complex, semi-random data for testing.

Test::Sims is a Perl module to support the Sims testing technique to generate
large, complex, interesting, semi-random yet valid data for testing purposes.

Here's the slides outlining the technique:
http://schwern.org/talks/Generating%20Test%20Data%20With%20The%20Sims.pdf

Install as any normal Module::Build Perl module.

    perl Build.PL
    ./Build
    ./Build test
    sudo ./Build install

Or for your own personal use:

    perl Build.PL --install_base ~
    ./Build
    ./Build test
    ./Build install

Here's an example of making a simple package to generate random dates.

    package Sim::Date;

    use strict;
    use warnings;

    use DateTime;
    use Test::Sims;

    # Create rand_year(), rand_month(), etc...
    # All exportable on demand or with the :rand tag
    make_rand year  => [1800..2100];
    make_rand month => [1..12];
    make_rand day   => [1..31];
    make_rand hour  => [0..23];
    make_rand minute=> [0..59];
    make_rand second=> [0..59];

    sub sim_datetime {
        my %defaults = (
            year   => rand_year(),
            month  => rand_month(),
            day    => rand_day(),
            hour   => rand_hour(),
            minute => rand_minute(),
            second => rand_second(),
        );

        return DateTime->new(
            %defaults, @_
        );
    }

    # Export sim_datetime()
    export_sims();

And then using it.

    use Sim::Date;

    # Random date.
    my $date = sim_datetime;

    # Random date in the year 2009
    my $date = sim_datetime(
        year => 2009
    );