# Dummy

The **dummy** input plugin, generates dummy events. It is useful for testing, debugging, benchmarking and getting started with Fluent Bit.

## Configuration Parameters

The plugin supports the following configuration parameters:

## Getting Started

You can run the plugin from the command line or through the configuration file:

| Key               | Description                                                                                                     |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Dummy             | Dummy JSON record. Default: `{"message":"dummy"}`                                                               |
| Start\_time\_sec  | Dummy base timestamp in seconds. Default: 0                                                                     |
| Start\_time\_nsec | Dummy base timestamp in nanoseconds. Default: 0                                                                 |
| Rate              | Events number generated per second. Default: 1                                                                  |
| Samples           | If set, the events number will be limited. e.g. If Samples=3, the plugin only generates three events and stops. |

### Command Line

```bash
$ fluent-bit -i dummy -o stdout
Fluent Bit v1.x.x
* Copyright (C) 2019-2020 The Fluent Bit Authors
* Copyright (C) 2015-2018 Treasure Data
* Fluent Bit is a CNCF sub-project under the umbrella of Fluentd
* https://fluentbit.io

[2017/07/06 21:55:29] [ info] [engine] started
[0] dummy.0: [1499345730.015265366, {"message"=>"dummy"}]
[1] dummy.0: [1499345731.002371371, {"message"=>"dummy"}]
[2] dummy.0: [1499345732.000267932, {"message"=>"dummy"}]
[3] dummy.0: [1499345733.000757746, {"message"=>"dummy"}]
```

### Configuration File

In your main configuration file append the following *Input* & *Output* sections:

```python
[INPUT]
    Name   dummy
    Tag    dummy.log

[OUTPUT]
    Name   stdout
    Match  *
```


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

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Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/1.7/pipeline/inputs/dummy.md?ask=<question>
```

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The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.