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Contributed by CURABIS ApS, generalized from patterns observed across real AppSource/PTE development. Each article follows the knowledge file format (frontmatter, Description/Best Practice/Anti Pattern, sibling .good.al/.bad.al samples).
28 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
28 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
---
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bc-version: [all]
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domain: testing
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keywords: [testing, test-data, random, library, any]
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technologies: [al]
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countries: [w1]
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application-area: [all]
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---
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# Generate Test Data Programmatically, Never Assume Existing Records
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> Contributions welcome — open a PR to refine or extend this article.
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## Description
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An AL test suite should assume an empty database. Test data must be created programmatically inside the test rather than assuming a specific code, number, or name already exists in the environment — a hardcoded lookup against an assumed-existing record makes the test fail for reasons unrelated to the code under test. Every mandatory field on a created record also needs a value that respects its declared length; a partial setup that merely passes validation is not sufficient.
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## Best Practice
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Use the standard library codeunits (`Library - ERM`, `Library - Inventory`, `Library - Sales`, `Library - Utility`) to create records with collision-free random values, and fill every mandatory field with randomized, correctly-sized data. Reserve hardcoded values for tests that validate an external contract itself — a fixed JSON schema, an EDIFACT message, a counterparty code — where the hardcoded value documents the specification rather than arbitrary test logic.
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See sample: `test-data-must-be-random-and-complete.good.al`.
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## Anti Pattern
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Looking up a record assumed to already exist (a hardcoded payment method or customer number) instead of creating it, or leaving mandatory fields empty or underfilled because validation happens to allow it.
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See sample: `test-data-must-be-random-and-complete.bad.al`.
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