Sample Data Generator: Generating random sample data based on rules

NAME
====
TSample


VERSION
=======
10th Jan 2004, v0.1


SYNOPSIS
========
This class provides a set of base methods for creating rules
to generate a meaningful sample dataset for testing or for
statistical analysis.

The key feature of this class is that it allows you to specify
rulesets for generating sample data, which is meaningful.

Potential applications:
. generate sample customer data for populating a database for
  application testing purposes;
. generate statistically random samples from a marketing database,
  for further analysis;
. generate random datasets for modelling simulations;


DESCRIPTION
===========
This class provides a set of base methods for creating
rulesets to generate sample data. This class can be used to
generate base sample data for importing into a database for
testing purposes.

Another possible application of this class can be used
in statistical sampling to generate random samples from
a database for further analysis.

The following base method are provided:
. range($min, $max)
  Returns a pseudo-random number between $min and $max

. random($min, $max)
  Alias for range()

. choice($choices, $min_choices, $max_choices, $sep)
  Returns an array of choices between $min and $max, with
  each array element separated by commas (default)

. datetime($d1, $d2)
  Returns a random datetime string between timestamps $d1 and $d2

. dob($min, $max)
  Returns a date of birth between $min and $max age

. number($length)
  Returns a string of random numbers to specified length

. alpha($length)
  Returns a string of random letters (a-z) to the specified length

. alphanum($length)
  Returns an string of printable ASCII alphanumeric characters
  to the specified length

. as_is($value)
  Returns the specified value "as-is". This is a dummy method for
  passing the specified value back to the generate() method

. generate($ruleset, $rows)
  This is the heart of the class. The generate() method takes the specified
  ruleset and generates a sample dataset (specified by $rows)


USAGE
=====
<?php
    include "tsample.php";

    $ruleset = array(
        $fieldname => array($method, $params...),
        .
        .
        .
    );

    TSample::generate($ruleset, $num_rows);
?>

See example1.php and example2.php for how to define a ruleset.


REQUIREMENTS
============
PHP3/4


CHANGELOG
=========
0.1     Initial release (this release)


FILES
=====
tsample.php             Main class
example1.php            A very basic example
example2.php            Slightly more advanced example


AUTHOR
=======
Ignatius Teo <ignatius@act28.com>
http://act28.com


LICENSE
=======
Copyright (C)2004, Ignatius Teo <http://act28.com>
All rights reserved

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or
without modification, are permitted provided that the following
conditions are met:

* Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.

* Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following
disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided
with the distribution.

* Neither the name of the <ORGANIZATION> nor the names of its
contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
from this software without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND
CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS
BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY
OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.


COPYRIGHT
=========
Copyright (C) 2004 Ignatius Teo <http://act28.com>
All Rights Reserved



$Id: README,v 1.2 2004/12/04 00:00:54 Owner Exp $