Test generator for database management systems providing tight joins

Abstract

A test generator produces a set of database query-language statements comprised of randomly chosen elements for testing one or more database management systems on arbitrary databases. The statements are syntactically correct according to the query language, and are semantically correct according to the query language and according to the schema of the target database. A configuration file further specifies parameters of the test statements, in terms of maximum elements, weights of different elements, etc. The generated statements include predicates in which tables in a from clause are tightly joined. In addition, a dictionary of words randomly selected from text columns in a test database is maintained and used to create predicates having words that actually appear in the row data.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A computerized method for generating a dictionary of words for use in a SQL statement generator, the method comprising: 
 means for determining the number of rows in a table having a text column;    means for selecting a row from the table;    means for selecting a substring comprising a word from the text column of the selected row; and    means for inserting the word into a dictionary associated to the table.    
   
   
       28 . The computerized method of  claim 27 , wherein a size of the dictionary is a function of the number of rows in the table.  
   
   
       29 . The computerized method of  claim 27 , wherein the row is selected randomly.  
   
   
       30 . The computerized method of  claim 27 , wherein the substring is selected randomly.  
   
   
       31 . A system for generating a dictionary of words for use in a SQL statement generator, comprising: 
 a table having a number of rows with a text column, wherein a row is selected from the table;    a substring that comprises a word from the text column, wherein the substring is selected from the selected row; and    a dictionary associated to the table, wherein the word is inserted into the dictionary.    
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein a size of the dictionary is a function of the number of rows in the table.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the row is selected randomly.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the substring is selected randomly.