Random Date Generation in LoadRunner

Problem:

How to simulate random date generation scenario in LoadRunner?

Explanation:

A webpage with the date field(s) requires current, past or future date inputs. The Date/Time parameter can easily generate value in the required date format and by using an offset, LoadRunner can generate past and future dates too. But in the case of date randomization, the value generated by ‘Date/Time Parameter’ does not fulfil the purpose because it generates the value in timestamp format (Date + Time) and if the only date format is selected then the same value (same date) will be generated every time.

In performance testing, the script requires a random date value to pass in the past or future date fields. Some scenarios are like generating a report between two dates, booking a ticket for a bus etc. These scenarios have one to two date fields and require a date input. So, how to generate a random date in LoadRunner?

The below code can help you out:

Action() 
{
	int randNumber; 
	randNumber = rand()%60 + 1;  //Generate Random Number 1 to 60 
	lr_output_message("Random Number is %d", randNumber);  
	lr_save_datetime("%d/%m/%Y", DATE_NOW + ONE_DAY*randNumber, "randDate"); 
	lr_output_message("Random Date is %s", lr_eval_string("{randDate}"));  
	return 0;  
}

Output:
Starting action Action.
Action.c(5): Random Number is 27
Action.c(7): Random Date is 19/02/2019
Ending action Action.

How does it work?

1. The rand() function generates a random number in the range 0 to 59.
2. The offset 1 increases the range of generated value by 1. Thus the range of random numbers becomes 1 to 60.
3. The argument DATE_NOW stores the current date.
4. ONE_DAY*randNumber converts the random number into date format.
5. A Random Date is added to the current date. (DATE_NOW + ONE_DAY*randNumber)
6. The lr_save_datetime method saves the random date in the randDate variable.

You may be interested:

• Various Methods to generate Random Number in LoadRunner
• Random Value from Correlation Parameter

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