Sample Data

[jeff_longland]

I know this gets asked every couple of years, so I guess I'll take up the call this year.

We're developing an application that uses CD2. We've been getting by generating fake data on a table-by-table basis as we need it, but we're getting to a point where what we really need is the full CD2 schema with data that's safe for local development.

Internal to Instructure, is there a developer database that could be used to generate a sample dataset for CD2 that could be shared with customers?

[sgergely]

Hey @jeff_longland!

No, we don't have such database internally.

Could you please help me understand why do you need a sample dataset for CD2 for local development when you can download the actual dataset to your localhost and work with that? Why do you generate fake data?

[jeff_longland]

Hey Gergely,

Our information security standards:

Where possible, testing of new applications should be done with fabricated data that mimics the characteristics of the real data, or on copies of real data with any Medium, High or Very High Risk Information appropriately sanitized. Testing should not be done on live data due to the threat to its confidentiality and/or integrity. Testing that requires the use of live data or High/Very High Risk Information must have appropriate security controls employed.

Using sample/fabricated data also allows us to have students work on projects. Otherwise they aren't authorized to access real data.

What are the local development environments like inside Instructure?

Cheers,
Jeff

[jeff_longland]

Hey @sgergely,

Just wondering if this is something you're able to help with or facilitate in any way? What are development environments like inside Instructure? Or within the data platform team?

Thanks,
Jeff