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mgeneratejs

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Generate rich random data based on a JSON template file.

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# mgeneratejs [![travis][travis_img]][travis_url] [![npm][npm_img]][npm_url]

_mgeneratejs_ generates structured, semi-random JSON data according to a
template object. It offers both a command line script and a JavaScript API.

## Installation

```
npm install -g mgeneratejs
```

## Example

```
mgeneratejs '{"name": "$name", "age": "$age", "emails": {"$array": {"of": "$email", "number": 3}}}' -n 5
```

Results in:

```
{"name":"Glenn Simmons","age":32,"emails":["ivuge@afovopid.tt","gied@orsin.zw","wuhowbi@con.uk"]}
{"name":"Jane Santiago","age":57,"emails":["oliclon@ohaoni.la","hetoufi@em.ug","ecwawce@sewwato.kn"]}
{"name":"Winifred Martinez","age":59,"emails":["veag@gi.fm","liwfecor@vifbevof.gr","siwluz@habif.gf"]}
{"name":"Helena Chandler","age":65,"emails":["ga@latcon.tr","wur@helmawak.im","ovpifuva@gabruzup.vc"]}
{"name":"Gary Allison","age":30,"emails":["wiko@unuwudu.za","fog@zokje.sh","juppojer@jadi.tl"]}
```

You can also specify a JSON file instead of a JSON string:

```
mgeneratejs template.json -n 5
```

## Template Syntax

The input string or file must be valid JSON, with one exception: As a convenience, from version 0.3.0 onwards, it's ok to omit quotes around keys, so both these templates are equivalent:

```
{"name": "$name"}
{name: "$name"}
```

### Shape of objects

The output has the same shape as the input template (including nested keys), with
one exception: If a key is assigned the special value `$missing`, then the
key is not present in the output (see `$missing` below for an example).

### Values

All values are taken literally, except for special `$`-prefixed values. These
values are called "operators". A list of operators can be found below.

Operators are used either in string or object format. The string format is
a shortcut to call the operator with default options.

String format:

```
{"key": "$operator"}
```

Object format:

```
{"key": {"$operator": { <additional options> }}}
```

Most operators have sensible default values that are used for their string format.

Example: `$year`

```
mgeneratejs '{"born_in": "$year"}' -n 5
```

```
{"born_in":"2035"}
{"born_in":"2086"}
{"born_in":"2088"}
{"born_in":"2022"}
{"born_in":"2082"}
```

The object format allows to pass in additional options to the operator,
here, a minimum and maximum for the value:

```
mgeneratejs '{"born_in": {"$year": {"min": 1930, "max": 1970}}}'
```

```
{"born_in":"1936"}
{"born_in":"1953"}
{"born_in":"1964"}
{"born_in":"1932"}
{"born_in":"1943"}
```

See the definition of the operator for its default values.

### Combining Operators

Operators can be combined, where the result of one operator is passed in as
an option to another operator.

Example: Here we pass in a random number between 0 and 5 to the `number` option
of the `$array` operator to generate variable-length arrays.

```
mgeneratejs '{"ip_addresses": {"$array": {"of": "$ip", "number": {"$integer": {"min": 0, "max": 5}}}}}'
```

```
{"ip_addresses":["166.182.72.83","127.94.56.191","236.79.131.157","94.66.121.242"]}
{"ip_addresses":["48.227.145.186","160.173.45.84","24.86.124.235"]}
{"ip_addresses":[]}
{"ip_addresses":["21.45.212.198"]}
{"ip_addresses":["199.209.162.241"]}
```

## Built-in Operators

#### General

- [`$array`](#array): Creates an array of values.
- [`$choose`](#choose): Chooses one element from an array of possible choices.
- [`$inc`](#inc): Generates natural numbers in increasing order.
- [`$join`](#join): Joins elements of an array to a string.
- [`$pick`](#pick): Returns an element from an array.
- [`$pickset`](#pickset): Returns a subset of an array.

#### Geospatial

- [`$coordinates`](#coordinates): Returns a pair of longitude/latitude coordinates.
- [`$point`](#point): Returns a GeoJSON Point.
- [`$linestring`](#linestring): Returns a GeoJSON LineString.
- [`$polygon`](#polygon): Returns a GeoJSON Polygon.
- [`$geometries`](#geometries): Returns a GeoJSON GeometryCollection.

#### Native and MongoDB-specific Types

- [`$binary`](#binary): Returns a MongoDB Binary type.
- [`$date`](#date): Returns a random date, optionally in a given range.
- [`$now`](#now): Returns the current date.
- [`$maxkey`](#maxkey): Returns a MongoDB MaxKey object.
- [`$minkey`](#minkey): Returns a MongoDB MinKey object.
- [`$numberDecimal`](#numberdecimal): Returns a MongoDB Decimal128 number.
- [`$numberLong`](#numberlong): Returns a MongoDB Long (Int64) number.
- [`$numberInt`](#numberint): Returns a Int32 number.
- [`$objectid`](#objectid): Returns MongoDB ObjectID.
- [`$regex`](#regex): Returns a Regular Expression object.
- [`$timestamp`](#timestamp): Returns a MongoDB Timestamp.

### All Built-in Operators in Alphabetical Order

### `$array`

Creates an array of values. Each new element is evaluated separately.

_Options_

- `of` (required) Defines an element of the array. Operators are evaluated separately for each element.
- `number` (optional) Number of elements. Default `0`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"countries": {"$array": {"of": {"$country": {"full": true}}, "number": 3}}}
> ```
>
> Creates an array of 3 countries, e.g. `{"countries":["Czech Republic","Ireland","Argentina"]}`

### `$binary`

Returns a random MongoDB Binary value, optionally with a `length` and `subtype`.

_Options_

- `length` (optional) Length in bytes of binary value. Default `10`.
- `subtype` (optional) Specific binary subtype (see [BSON spec][bson-spec]). Default `0`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"blob": "$binary"}
> ```
>
> Returns a Binary object (stringified to extended JSON on stdout).
> e.g. `{"blob":{"$binary":"TzhXcFZoRllRNg==","$type":"0"}}`.

### `$choose`

Chooses one element from an array of possible choices with uniform probability.
Optionally chooses with probability proportional to a provided `weights` array.

_Options_

- `from` (required) Array of values or operators to choose from.
- `weights` (optional) Number of elements. Default `0`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"status": {"$choose": {"from": ["read", "unread", "deleted"], "weights": [2, 1, 1]}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"status": "read"}` with probability 1/2, and `{"status": "unread"}` and
> `{"status": "deleted"}` each with probability 1/4.

### `$coordinates`

Returns a 2-element array of longitude/latitude coordinates, optionally within
`long_lim` and/or `lat_lim` bounds.

_Aliases_

- `$coord`
- `$coordinate`

_Options_

- `long_lim` (optional) Array of longitude bounds. Default `[-180, 180]`.
- `lat_lim` (optional) Array of latitude bounds. Default `[-90, 90]`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"position": {"$coordinates": {"long_lim": [-20, -19]}}}
> ```
>
> Returns a pair of coordinates with the longitude bounds between -20 and -19,
> e.g. `{"position":[-19.96851,-47.46141]}`.

### `$date`

Returns a random date object, optionally between specified `min` and `max` values.
If `min` and/or `max` are provided, they need to be in a format that [Date.parse()][date-parse]
can read, e.g. ISO-8601.

_Aliases_

- `$datetime`

_Options_

- `min` (optional) Minimum date, as parseable string.
- `max` (optional) Maximum date, as parsable string.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"last_login": {"$date": {"min": "2015-01-01", "max": "2016-12-31T23:59:59.999Z"}}}
> ```
>
> Returns a random date and time between 2015 and 2016 (incl.), e.g.
> `{"last_login":{"$date":"2016-06-28T15:28:54.721Z"}}`.

### `$now`

Returns the current date at creation time. Ideal for time-stamping documents.

_Options_
_none_

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"created": "$now"}
> ```
>
> Returns the extended JSON date and time at creation.
> `{"created":{"$date":"2017-02-20T04:44:24.880Z"}}`.

### `$geometries`

Returns a GeoJSON formatted [GeometryCollection](http://geojson.org/geojson-spec.html#geometrycollection)
with `number` geometries. By default, the geometries are chosen from `Point`,
`LineString`, and `Polygon`. A subset of types can be specified with the `types`
option.

Additional options are passed onto each geometry, e.g. `corners` is passed
to polygons, `locs` is passed to line strings.

_Options_

- `number` (optional) Number of geometries in the collection. Default `3`.
- `types` (optional) Types of geometries to choose from. Default `["Point", "LineString", "Polygon"]`.
- `locs` (optional) Number of locations in a line string. Default `2`.
- `corners` (optional) Number of corners in a polygon. Default `3`. The last point in the `coordinates` array closes the polygon and does not count towards the number of corners.
- `long_lim` (optional) Array of longitude bounds. Default `[-180, 180]`.
- `lat_lim` (optional) Array of latitude bounds. Default `[-90, 90]`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"triangles": {"$geometries": {"types": ["Polygon"], "corners": 3, "number": 4}}}
> ```
>
> Returns a GeoJSON GeometryCollection with 4 triangles.
>
> ```
> {
>   "triangles": {
>     "type": "GeometryCollection",
>     "geometries": [
>       {
>         "coordinates": [[[39.3259,-16.71813],[172.02089,-14.75681],[61.97122,-1.4036],[39.3259,-16.71813]]],
>         "type": "Polygon"
>       },
>       {
>         "coordinates": [[[57.66865,-18.3085],[-48.81722,-40.64912],[-145.11102,32.8189],[57.66865,-18.3085]]],
>         "type": "Polygon"
>       },
>       {
>         "coordinates": [[[110.68379,28.31158],[-73.67573,-19.54736],[-73.29514,52.07583],[110.68379,28.31158]]],
>         "type": "Polygon"
>       },
>       {
>         "coordinates": [[[-29.36382,79.19853],[138.84298,7.43148],[176.28313,36.83292],[-29.36382,79.19853]]],
>         "type": "Polygon"
>       }
>     ]
>   }
> }
> ```

### `$inc`

Generate natural numbers in increasing order.

_Options_

- `start` (optional) starts counting at this value. Default `0`.
- `step` (optional) increases by this amount each time. Default `1`. Can also take negative value.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"even_numbers": {"$inc": {"start": 0, "step": 2}}}
> ```
>
> Assigns the numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, ... to subsequent objects.

### `$join`

Takes an array `array` and a separator string `sep` and joins the elements
of the array (each cast to string) separated by `sep`. The default separator
is the empty string ''.

_Options_

- `array` (required) Array of values to be joined (cast to string).
- `sep` (optional) Separator string. Default `''` (empty string).

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"code": {"$join": {"array": ["foo", "bar", "baz"], "sep": "-"}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"code": "foo-bar-baz"}`.

### `$linestring`

Returns a GeoJSON formatted [LineString](http://geojson.org/geojson-spec.html#id3)
with optionally `locs` locations and within `long_lim` and/or `lat_lim` bounds.

_Options_

- `locs` (optional) Number of locations in the line string. Default `2`.
- `long_lim` (optional) Array of longitude bounds. Default `[-180, 180]`.
- `lat_lim` (optional) Array of latitude bounds. Default `[-90, 90]`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"line": "$linestring"}
> ```
>
> Returns a GeoJSON line string with 2 locations,
> e.g. `{"line":{"type":"LineString","coordinates":[[35.67106,-41.9745],[120.07739,68.46491]]}}`.

### `$maxkey`

Returns the MongoDB MaxKey value.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"upper_bound": "$maxkey"}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"upper_bound":{"$maxKey":1}}`.

### `$minkey`

Returns the MongoDB MinKey value.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"lower_bound": "$minkey"}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"lower_bound":{"$minKey":1}}`.

### `$numberDecimal`

Returns a MongoDB Decimal128 number.

_Aliases_

- `$decimal`

_Options_

- `min` (optional) minimum value. Default `0`.
- `max` (optional) maximum value. Default `1000`.
- `fixed` (optional) number of digits after the decimal. Default `2`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"price": {"$numberDecimal": {"fixed": 3}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"price":{"$numberDecimal": "1545.241"}}`.

### `$numberLong`

Returns a MongoDB Long (Int64) number.

_Aliases_

- `$long`

_Options_

- `min` (optional) minimum value. Default `-2^53`.
- `max` (optional) maximum value. Default `2^53`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"price": {"$numberLong": {"min": 100000}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"price":{"$numberLong":"7624790980443125"}}`.

### `$numberInt`

Returns ag 32-bit integer number.

_Aliases_

- `$number`
- `$integer`

_Options_

- `min` (optional) minimum value. Default `-2^31`.
- `max` (optional) maximum value. Default `2^31`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"price": {"$numberLong": {"min": 100000}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"price":{"$numberLong":"7624790980443125"}}`.

### `$objectid`

Returns a new MongoDB ObjectId.

_Aliases_

- `$oid`

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"_id": "$objectid"}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"_id":{"$oid":"574ac75f725f4447309ab587"}}`.

### `$pick`

Takes an array and a number `element` and returns the `element`-th value of
the array. If the number is larger than the length of the array, return
`$missing` instead, which will remove the key from the resulting document.
`element` is zero-based (`0` returns the first element).

_Options_

- `array` (required) Array of values or operators to choose from.
- `element` (optional) Index of the array element to pick. Default `0`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
>  {"color": {"$pick": {"array": ["green", "red", "blue"], "element": 1}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"color": "red"}`.

### `$pickset`

Takes an array and a number `quantity` and returns a new n-element array
containing unique values from the input array. If the number is larger than the
length of the array, return `$missing` instead, which will remove the key from
the resulting document.

_Options_

- `array` (required) Array of values or operators to choose from.
- `quantity` (optional) The size of the output array. Default `1`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"color": {"$pickset": {"array": ["green", "red", "blue"], "quantity": 2}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"color": ["red", "green"]}`

### `$point`

Like `$coordinates`, but returns a GeoJSON formatted
[Point](http://geojson.org/geojson-spec.html#id2), optionally within
`long_lim` and/or `lat_lim` bounds.

_Options_

- `long_lim` (optional) Array of longitude bounds. Default `[-180, 180]`.
- `lat_lim` (optional) Array of latitude bounds. Default `[-90, 90]`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"position": {"$point": {"long_lim": [-20, -19]}}}
> ```
>
> Returns a GeoJSON Point with the longitude bounds between -20 and -19,
> e.g. `{"position": {"type": "Point", "coordinates": [-19.96851,-47.46141]}}`.

linestring: require('./linestring'),
polygon: require('./polygon'),
geometries: require('./geometries'),

### `$polygon`

Returns a GeoJSON formatted [Polygon](http://geojson.org/geojson-spec.html#id4)
(without holes) with `corners` corners, optionally within `long_lim` and/or
`lat_lim` bounds. The last point in the `coordinates` array closes the polygon
and does not count towards the number of corners.

_Options_

- `corners` (optional) Number of corners in the polygon. Default `3`.
- `long_lim` (optional) Array of longitude bounds. Default `[-180, 180]`.
- `lat_lim` (optional) Array of latitude bounds. Default `[-90, 90]`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"area": {"$polygon": {"corners": 5}}}
> ```
>
> Returns a GeoJSON polygon with 5 corners,
> e.g. `{"area":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.26507,81.14973],[-12.29368,64.22995],[60.43231,-15.97496],[-133.6566,-40.40259],[-130.31348,-87.36982],[-75.26507,81.14973]]]}}`.

### `$regex`

Returns a [RegExp][regexp] object.

_Options_

- `string` (optional) The regular expression string. Default `'.*'`.
- `flags` (optional) Flags for the RegExp object. Default `''`.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"expr": {"$regex": {"string": "^ab+c$", "flags": "i"}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"expr":{"$regex":"^ab+c$","$options":"i"}}`.

### `$timestamp`

Returns a MongoDB Timestamp object.

_Options_

- `t` (optional) Set the low value to the specified value. Default random.
- `i` (optional) Set the high value to the specified value. Default random.

> **Example**
>
> ```
> {"ts": {"$timestamp": {"t": 10, "i": 20}}}
> ```
>
> Returns `{"ts":{"$timestamp":{"t":10,"i":20}}}`.

## Chance.js

All other `$`-prefixed strings that don't match any of the built-in operators above
are passed on to the [`Chance.js`][chance-js] library. Use the string format for
default options, or pass in custom options with the object format.

Some Examples:

```
{"ip_address": "$ip"}
{"percent": {"$floating": {"min": 0, "max": 100, "fixed": 8}}}
{"birthday": {"$birthday": {"type": "child"}}}
{"phone_no": "$phone"}
{"full_name": {"$name": {"gender": "female"}}}
```

## Advanced Templates

TBD.

In short, you can use handlebar template strings to build even more complex
values, e.g.

```
mgeneratejs '{"recipient": "{{chance.name()}} <{{chance.email()}}>"}' -n 3
```

```
{"recipient":"Lora Jimenez <muwer@oma.qa>"}
{"recipient":"Elnora Brewer <wisnowaz@vacpar.tg>"}
{"recipient":"Howard Bryan <jo@vemoriw.sd>"}
```

## Difference to mtools' mgenerate script

This is a JavaScript port from the [`mgenerate`][mgenerate-mtools] script in the
[mtools][mtools] library (of which I am also the author). It is mostly backwards
compatible except for the following breaking changes:

1. The "array" operator format is no longer supported, as it was confusing
   which arguments need to be provided in which order. Instead, use the "object"
   format with named options. See [array shortcut syntax][array-syntax].
2. The "$concat" operator has been renamed to "$join", as this operation is
   called "join" in many languages, e.g. Python and JavaScript. "\$concat" is
   reserved for a future operator to concatenate arrays.
3. `mgeneratejs` does not insert documents directly into MongoDB, it only outputs
   to stdout. It doesn't make sense to re-implement all the authentication options
   separately, when the resulting objects can simply be piped to mongoimport.

In addition, many more operators are supported through the inclusion of
the `Chance.js` library, and the extended template syntax with handlebar templates.

## License

Apache 2.0

[mgenerate-mtools]: https://github.com/rueckstiess/mtools/wiki/mgenerate
[array-syntax]: https://github.com/rueckstiess/mtools/wiki/mgenerate#parsing-the-json-document
[mtools]: https://github.com/rueckstiess/mtools/
[chance-js]: http://chancejs.com/
[regexp]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/RegExp
[bson-spec]: http://bsonspec.org/spec.html
[date-parse]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Date/parse
[travis_img]: https://img.shields.io/travis/rueckstiess/mgeneratejs.svg
[travis_url]: https://travis-ci.org/rueckstiess/mgeneratejs
[npm_img]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mgeneratejs.svg
[npm_url]: https://npmjs.org/package/mgeneratejs

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