Seed data

Definition

Seed data is a set of example or starter records inserted into a database. It can help developers test an app with realistic content instead of starting from an empty database.

Why it matters

Seed data makes local development easier because screens, filters, dashboards, and workflows can be tested with known records. It also helps teams reproduce the same setup across machines.

Example in VCA

In VCA, a learner might seed a few practice items, users, or lessons so they can build and test list pages without entering every record manually.

Another Real World Example

A booking app might use seed data to create sample venues, time slots, and test bookings in a development database.

Common mistakes

Putting real private user data into seed files.
Running development seed data against a production database.
Making seed scripts create duplicate records every time they run.
Letting seed data become outdated when the schema changes.
Depending on seed data that does not match real user workflows.