User Input Node

The User Input node provides an easy way for you to create synthetic data--either from scratch or by altering existing data. This is useful, for example, when you want to create a test dataset for modeling.

Creating Data from Scratch

The User Input node is available from the Sources palette and can be added directly to the stream canvas.

1. Click the Sources tab of the nodes palette.
2. Drag and drop or double-click to add the User Input node to the stream canvas.
3. Double-click to open its dialog box and specify fields and values.

Note: User Input nodes that are selected from the Sources palette will be completely blank, with no fields and no data information. This enables you to create synthetic data entirely from scratch.

Generating Data from an Existing Data Source

You can also generate a User Input node from any nonterminal node in the stream:

1. Decide at which point in the stream you want to replace a node.
2. Right-click on the node that will feed its data into the User Input node and choose Generate User Input Node from the menu.
3. The User Input node appears with all downstream processes attached to it, replacing the existing node at that point in your data stream. When generated, the node inherits all of the data structure and field type information (if available) from the metadata.

Note: If data have not been run through all nodes in the stream, then the nodes are not fully instantiated, meaning that storage and data values may not be available when replacing with a User Input node.