Generator characteristics

When you consider which generator to use, it helps to be familiar with these generator characteristics.

Configurable characteristics

Consistency

Map the same input values to the same output values across columns, tables, and databases.

Linking

Identify columns that use the same generator and that are inter-dependent or correlated.

Differential privacy

Ensures that the output does not reveal anything that is attributable to a specific member of the source data.

Column partitioning

Base the value of a column on other related columns.

Other generator characteristics

These characteristics are either inherent to the generator or are based on the generator configuration.

Data-free generators Indicates that the generator output is completely unrelated to the input.

Support for uniqueness constraints Some generators can be used on columns that have uniqueness constraints.

Format-preserving encryption (FPE) Encrypts data in such a way that the output is in the same format as the input.