Introduction

DataSampler is a simple framework that will get you up to speed while learning new data driven or presentation frameworks. With DataSampler you'll be able to imediately focus on important stuff without worrying where to get sample data to work with.

Usage

Suppose you want to learn how Knockout.JS data binding works with ASP.NET MVC WebAPI. You have the following class to play with.

    class Book
    {
        public int Id { get; set; }
        
        public string Author { get; set; }
        
        public string Title { get; set; }
        
        public DateTime ReleaseDate { get; set; }
    }

Now instead of worrying how to create a dozen of fake Books, you can simply write the following:

var sampleBooks = new DataSampler<Book>()
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Id, () => 1)
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Author, () => "author")
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Title, () => "title")
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.ReleaseDate, () => DateTime.Now)
        .GenerateListOf(12);

That will give you a list of twelve sample books. A bit boring, I admit, so how about that:

int i, j = 0;
var sampleBooks = new DataSampler<Book>()
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Id, () => i++)
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Author, () => Guid.NewGuid().ToString())
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Title, () => Guid.NewGuid().ToString())
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.ReleaseDate, () => DateTime.Now.AddDays(j++))
        .GenerateListOf(12);

That's cool but what if you have Author modelled as a sub class?

class Author
{
    public string FirstName { get; set; }
    
    public string LastName { get; set; }
}

No problem, use AddKnownType()

var sampleBooks = new DataSampler<Book>()
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Id, () => 1)
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Author.FirstName, () => Guid.NewGuid().ToString())
        .AddPropertyConfiguration(x => x.Author.LastName, () => Guid.NewGuid().ToString())
        .WithKnownType(typeof(Author))
        .GenerateListOf(12);