Flat File Dictionaries
A flat file dictionary is a file that contains dictionary information. You can use a flat file dictionary with email address and substitution masking. You can use a flat file dictionary to generate data for string, numeric, and date datatypes.
TDM installs with sample dictionary files that you can use for names and addresses. You can find the dictionary files in the following location:
<TDM installation directory>/TDM/infa_shared/LkpFiles
When you use a dictionary file in a masking or a generation rule, the Test Data Manager imports the structure of the dictionary file and stores the column names.
The following text shows a sample flat file dictionary that contains first name and gender:
SNO,GENDER,FIRSTNAME
1,M,Adam
2,M,Adeel
3,M,Adil
4,F,Alice
5,F,Alison
In this dictionary, the first field in the row is the serial number, and the second field is gender. The PowerCenter Integration Service looks up a dictionary record by serial number. You can add gender as a lookup condition. The PowerCenter Integration Service retrieves a row from the dictionary using a hash key, and it finds a row with a gender that matches the gender in the source data.
Flat File Dictionary Properties
Specify flat file dictionary properties to add a dictionary in the Test Data Manager.
Property | Description |
---|
Name | The name of the dictionary. |
Description | An optional description of the dictionary. |
Type | The type of dictionary. Select Flat File. |
File Location | The absolute path to the dictionary to import the file. |
Overwrite File if Already Exists | Enable to overwrite a dictionary with the same name. |
File Encoding | The file encoding type. |
Adding a Flat File Dictionary
Add a flat file dictionary to use in masking rules. When you add a flat file dictionary, you can browse for and select a dictionary from your local computer.
1. In the Administrator | Dictionaries view, click Actions > New Dictionary.
The New Dictionary tab appears.
2. Enter a name and optional description for the dictionary. Select Flat File as the dictionary type.
3. Click Choose File to browse to the location of the dictionary. Select the dictionary file, and click Open.
4. Optionally, select to overwrite the file if a dictionary with the same name exists.
5. Select the file encoding type.
6. Click Save.
A tab with the dictionary properties opens and the dictionary appears in the Administrator | Dictionaries view.