Test-Sims

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
);