Creating Custom Random Values

  • Make sure you are at the pfDataExtractor Main Form (Overview),
  • Click on the Randomizer/Manage Sources menu item.
  • You will see the RandomDataFormsManager form (Randomizer Sources Manager Form).
  • Select the Custom Random Values option.
  • Click Edit Sources button.
  • You will see the Define Random Custom Values Data Mask form.
  • Set the following values:
    • Data Mask Name = LastNamesThatStartWithM
    • Database Type = SQLServerCE35
    • Connection String = data source='C:\Users\Mike\Documents\PFApps\DesktopDatabases\SampleOrderDataCE35.sdf';
      • Click the Show Connection String Manager button image\ebx_1972759147.gif to show the form for defining a connection string
      • You should see the Data Source equal to something like the following:
        • C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\pfApps\pfDataExtractor\SampleData\SampleOrderDataCE35.sdf
        • .If you do not see the above, use the image\ebx_-1986081878.gif File Open button to search for the folder containing the SampleOrderDataCE35.sdf file.
      • Click the Build button.
      • Connection String value should now be:
        • data source='C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\pfApps\pfDataExtractor\SampleData\SampleOrderDataCE35.sdf';
      • Click the Verify button.
      • You should see a popup message that reads:
        • Connection Successful!
      • Click the Accept button.
        • You will be returned to the Define Random Custom Values Data Mask form..
        • Connection String value will now be filled in with the text produced by the Connection String Manager.
  • Leave the following two values blank:
    • TableIncludeSearchPattern
    • TableExcludeSearchPattern
  • Click the Connect to Database button.
  • You will now see a new set of form values displayed at the bottom of the form.
    • These values will allow you to define the output and selection criteria for your new customer values data mask.
  • Set the following values using the drop-down list boxes:
    • Table Name = Customers
    • Data Field = Last Name
    • Include When
      • Comparison Field = LastName
      • Condition = Like
      • Criteria = M%
        • Type the Criteria directly into the text box.
        • NOTE: You can also type M*.
        • NOTE: % and * are wildcard characters.
    • Type the Minimum Value Frequency and Max Output Rows values directly into the text box.
      • Minimum Value Frequency = 1
      • Max Output Rows = 3000
  • Click the Save button.
    • You should see a popup message saying the save was successful.
  • Click the Preview button.
    • You will see a data output grid form showing each distinct value that met your criteria, along with the actual and adjusted frequencies with which the value occurs.
      • AdjustedFrequency will only differ from Frequency in cases where the number of rows in the result set is larger than the value in the Max Output Rows field.
      • See Data Output Grid Overview for more information on working with the data output grid.
    • Click Exit.
    • You will now see a grid that has one row for each occurrence of the selected custom values.
      • These values will be what is used to generate random custom values for queries and extracts.
    • Click Exit.
      • You will be returned to the Define Random Custom Values Data Mask form.
  • Click the Create Custom List button located at the middle bottom of the form.
  • You will see a popup message listing the creation of four files.
    • The custom value file that you can use for random value mapping will be stored in
      • DataMaskName.xml
    • The following support files for use in troubleshooting will be generated:
      • DataMaskName.clistdef
        • A XML formatted file containing the criteria used to generate the list.
      • DataMaskName.clistsum
        • A XML formatted file containing the summary counts for each value in the list.
        • You can use this to quickly view how many times each value was generated.
      • DataMaskName.sql
        • A text file containing the SQL statement used to generate the list.
        • Use this to make sure your data was retrieved in an expected way.
    • Output files will usually be stored in the following folder:
      • C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\PFApps\Randomizer\Data\CustomValues
    • Click OK button to close popup message.
  • Click Exit button to close Define Random Custom Values Data Mask form.
  • Click Exit button to close the RandomDataFormsManager form.
  • You will be back at the pfDataExtractor main form.
  • Click Exit button to close the application.