Scrambling data

Scrambling data allows you to create test data based on production (or "live") data, but with the ability to change the values of certain fields. In this way, you can avoid sensitive or confidential information appearing in test data.

When can you scramble data?

When you use the Copy Utility (option 3.3) to copy data from one data set to another data set, you can choose to scramble some or all of the fields being copied.

For scrambling to occur during the copy process, you must supply an output template which has mapped fields marked for scrambling.

Scrambling rules

File Manager scrambles data according to these rules:
  • If you do not specify any value or range options:
    • Uppercase alphabetic characters are scrambled to other uppercase alphabetic characters.
    • Lowercase alphabetic characters are scrambled to other lowercase alphabetic characters.
    • DBCS characters are scrambled to other DBCS characters.
    • Numerics are scrambled to other numerics.
    • Any other characters remain unchanged.
    • Repeatable scrambling produces unique results for numeric fields defined with Leading zeros set to YES, and all non-numeric and non-DBCS fields.
  • If you provide a value list, then the field is populated with a value from the list.
  • If you provide a range, then the resultant number is in the range provided.
  • If you specify a scramble type of random or repeatable and also the value option and a value data set, then the field is populated with a value from the data set.
  • If you specify a scramble type of translate, then the input field value is matched and the corresponding output value is used from the value data set.
  • If date and time scrambling options are defined for a field they take precedence over other scrambling options specified for the field.