{"id":1240,"date":"2024-09-12T12:52:31","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T10:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/?p=1240"},"modified":"2024-09-11T22:44:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T20:44:51","slug":"best-online-test-data-generation-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/best-online-test-data-generation-tools","title":{"rendered":"Best online tools for test data generation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>One of the recurring &#8220;challenges&#8221; for developers and web developers is having access to test data that closely resembles production data. This allows for the creation of prototypes and the execution of tests with data that is as realistic as possible. I remember about twenty years ago, I struggled to find good data for testing and had to write scripts every time to generate it&#8230; but the generated data wasn&#8217;t great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019re going to explore some cool online tools, which are free (or at least offer a free version), to easily generate data \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_47_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\"><label for=\"item-69e89ec7ec41f\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-69e89ec7ec41f\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/best-online-test-data-generation-tools\/#Reasons_to_use_a_data_generator\" title=\"Reasons to use a data generator\">Reasons to use a data generator<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/best-online-test-data-generation-tools\/#Online_data_generators\" title=\"Online data generators\">Online data generators<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/best-online-test-data-generation-tools\/#Mockaroo\" title=\"Mockaroo\">Mockaroo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/best-online-test-data-generation-tools\/#ExtendsClass\" title=\"ExtendsClass\">ExtendsClass<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/best-online-test-data-generation-tools\/#Generatedatacom\" title=\"Generatedata.com\">Generatedata.com<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/best-online-test-data-generation-tools\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reasons_to_use_a_data_generator\"><\/span>Reasons to use a data generator<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To test and create prototypes, we need high-quality datasets, and preferably, the data should be quite realistic. At first glance, when we think of realistic data, tools like ChatGPT and its counterparts may come to mind. The data these tools generate is often of very good quality, and with just a few prompts, you can obtain truly interesting data. However, when it comes to <a href=\"https:\/\/learnsql.com\/blog\/sql-for-data-analysis\/\" title=\"\">analyzing vast datasets<\/a>, it\u2019s crucial to implement efficient tools and techniques that can handle and process large-scale information while ensuring the reliability and accuracy of insights derived from the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main issue with these generative AIs is that data generation is really slow. It takes about ten seconds to generate a JSON with around fifty elements! When you need volume, it&#8217;s a no-go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s why we\u2019ll explore some online tools that can generate (tens of) thousands of elements in just a few seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Online_data_generators\"><\/span>Online data generators<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mockaroo\"><\/span>Mockaroo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mockaroo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Mockaroo <\/a>is a web-based data generation tool designed to create realistic, structured, and randomized datasets for testing and development purposes. It allows users to generate custom datasets with fields like names, addresses, dates, numbers, emails, and more. The platform supports a wide range of data types!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Customizable fields<\/strong>: You can define field names and types to mimic real-world data structures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Format variety<\/strong>: Data can be exported in formats like CSV, JSON, SQL, and Excel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data realism<\/strong>: The tool incorporates realistic data patterns to ensure datasets appear authentic for testing software.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the free version limits you to generating a maximum of <strong>1,000 rows per dataset<\/strong> :(. For larger datasets or more advanced features, a paid subscription is required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ExtendsClass\"><\/span>ExtendsClass<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/csv-generator.html\" title=\"\">CSV Generator<\/a> by ExtendsClass<\/strong> is a web-based, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/cyrilbois\/Web-CSV-Generator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">open-source<\/a><\/strong> tool designed for generating customized datasets for testing, development, and simulation purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Customizable fields<\/strong>: Users can define the data type for each field, including names, numbers, dates, regex, js function, and custom strings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multiple data options<\/strong>: It provides a wide range of options such as random names, addresses, dates, numeric values, and more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Format variety<\/strong>: Data can be exported in formats like CSV, JSON, SQL, and Excel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Open-source<\/strong>: As an open-source tool, it offers flexibility for developers who want to extend or modify its functionality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike many other tools, <strong>the CSV Generator by ExtendsClass does not impose any row limits<\/strong>, making it a flexible and scalable solution for generating large datasets without restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Generatedatacom\"><\/span>Generatedata.com<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/generatedata.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Generatedata.com <\/a>is an <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/benkeen\/generatedata\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">open-source<\/a><\/strong>, web-based tool designed to create customizable, randomized datasets for testing and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Customizable data fields<\/strong>: You can define the structure and data type for each field.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multiple export formats<\/strong>: Data can be exported in formats such as CSV, JSON, Excel, SQL, and XML. But also to <strong>JS, Typescript, Perl, Python <\/strong>\u2026 !<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Open-source<\/strong>: Users can self-host the tool and modify it for specific needs, making it flexible for a variety of applications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Generatedata.com <strong>limits dataset generation to a maximum of 500 rows<\/strong>. To generate more rows and access additional features, you need to create a free account. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, we&#8217;ve explored some really interesting and easy-to-use tools, and now you can easily generate your data. In the introduction, I was a bit critical of generative AI, but if one day it becomes 100x faster than it is today, it will then become indispensable. Stay tuned!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the recurring &#8220;challenges&#8221; for developers and web developers is having access to test data that closely resembles production data. This allows for the creation of prototypes and the execution of tests with data that is as realistic as possible. I remember about twenty years ago, I struggled to find good data for testing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1240"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1240"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1242,"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1240\/revisions\/1242"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extendsclass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}