← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Generating sample test data

A tool that makes random sample data, with fields and rows you choose, to practise with when real data is not available. You can export it to a spreadsheet. It is test data, not real data.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Acquiring and Storing Data — Module 30

Understanding Generating sample test data in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: A CSV file made by the data generator can be opened in a spreadsheet to practise sorting, filtering and formulas. Naming the file test_data reminds everyone that the values are random and not real results. Fields are the kinds of data in each column. The row count is a separate choice. The row count sets how many records you get. Fields set the columns. A data generator needs at least one row to make sample data. Choose a sensible row count such as 50.

Common mistakes: A single = stores the row count in the variable. Two equals signs (==) compare values, so rows would never be set. It should be rows = 50. A for loop line must end with a colon. Without it the generator will not run. It should be for i in range(30):.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 204–236) and word search (Modules 189–236).

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Learning

Duo

You want to practise spreadsheet formulas but have no real data yet. What could you use?

A sensor that has been switched offA data generator

Matches

Rows: 0

↓

A row count of 0 makes no data, so there is nothing to practise with. Choose a number such as 50.

Applying

Meanings

Term

data generator

Meaning

A tool that makes random sample data, with fields and rows you choose, to practise with when real data is not available. You can export it to a spreadsheet. It is test data, not real data.

Practice

Name,Age,Score

Testing

Gaps

=(1,100)

Check Answer

Spots

1rows == 50

2fields = ['Name', 'Age']

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Quick Questions

1. You want to practise spreadsheet formulas but have no real data yet. What could you use?

A. A sensor that has been switched off

B. A data generator ✓

A data generator makes random sample data to practise with when real data is not available.

2. Which statement describes data made by a data generator?

A. It is real data collected from people

B. It is random test data ✓

Generated data is made up by the tool. It is test data, not real data.

3. When using a data generator, you choose the fields. What is a field?

A. A column type such as Name, Age or Score ✓

B. The total number of rows in the file

Fields are the kinds of data in each column. The row count is a separate choice.

4. You set a data generator to make 50 rows. What does this control?

A. How many records are created ✓

B. How many columns are created

The row count sets how many records you get. Fields set the columns.

5. Which is the best way to use generated data in a spreadsheet?

A. Export it as a file, then open or import it ✓

B. Retype each cell by hand from memory

Data generators let you export the data, for example as a CSV file, and open it in a spreadsheet.

Match the Pairs

Fields: Name, Age, Year → Chooses the columns (fields) that each generated record will have

Rows: 50 → Tells the data generator to make 50 records of sample data

Export the generated data so it can be opened and practised on in a spreadsheet → Export as CSV

Generated data is only test data, so the file name should show it is not real → Filename: test_data.csv

Rows: 0 → A row count of 0 makes no data, so there is nothing to practise with. Choose a number such as 50.

Use test_data.csv as our real survey results → Generated data is random test data, not real data. It must not be used as real survey results.

Key Term

data generator

A tool that makes random sample data, with fields and rows you choose, to practise with when real data is not available. You can export it to a spreadsheet. It is test data, not real data.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =RANDBETWEEN(1,100)

Hint: Type the function name that makes a random whole number between two limits, for filling a column with sample data.

2. =CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,2),"Red","Blue")

Hint: Type the function name that picks one item from a list using a position number, so a generator can make random text values.

3. =ROUND(RAND()*100,1)

Hint: Type the function name that makes a random decimal between 0 and 1, which is scaled up to make sample decimal values.

4. Save as: sampledata.csv

Hint: Type the file extension for plain comma-separated data that a generator exports so it can open in a spreadsheet.

5. =COUNTA(A2:A21)

Hint: Type the row number of the last data row when 20 generated rows sit under a header in row 1, so the formula counts every row.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A rows == 50

B fields = ['Name', 'Age']

C data = make_data(fields, rows)

D export(data, 'test.csv')

Line A — A single = stores the row count in the variable. Two equals signs (==) compare values, so rows would never be set. It should be rows = 50.

Question 2

A from random import randint

B ages = []

C for i in range(30)

D a = randint(11, 14)

E ages.append(a)

Line C — A for loop line must end with a colon. Without it the generator will not run. It should be for i in range(30):

Question 3

A fields: Name, Age, Score

B rows: 100

C export: CSV

D note: real student data

Line D — Generated data is made up, so it is test data, not real data. The note should say that it is test data, not real data.

Question 4

A import random

B names = ['Ava', 'Liam', 'Mia']

C pick = random.choose(names)

D print(pick)

Line C — The function that picks a random item from a list is random.choice(), not random.choose(). It should be pick = random.choice(names).

Question 5

A import csv

B f = open('test.csv', 'r')

C w = csv.writer(f)

D w.writerow(['Name', 'Age'])

Line B — 'r' opens the file for reading only, so the generator cannot save data to it. To export, open it for writing with 'w'.

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