# 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:

| Key                | Description                                                                                                                         | Default               |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |
| Dummy              | Dummy JSON record.                                                                                                                  | `{"message":"dummy"}` |
| Metadata           | Dummy JSON metadata.                                                                                                                | `{}`                  |
| Start\_time\_sec   | Dummy base timestamp, in seconds.                                                                                                   | `0`                   |
| Start\_time\_nsec  | Dummy base timestamp, in nanoseconds.                                                                                               | `0`                   |
| Rate               | Rate at which messages are generated expressed in how many times per second.                                                        | `1`                   |
| Interval\_sec      | Set time interval, in seconds, at which every message is generated. If set, `Rate` configuration is ignored.                        | `0`                   |
| Interval\_nsec     | Set time interval, in nanoseconds, at which every message is generated. If set, `Rate` configuration is ignored.                    | `0`                   |
| Samples            | If set, the events number will be limited. For example, if Samples=3, the plugin generates only three events and stops.             | *none*                |
| Copies             | Number of messages to generate each time they are generated.                                                                        | `1`                   |
| Flush\_on\_startup | If set to `true`, the first dummy event is generated at startup.                                                                    | `false`               |
| Threaded           | Indicates whether to run this input in its own [thread](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/3.2/administration/multithreading#inputs). | `false`               |

## Getting Started

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

### Command Line

```bash
$ fluent-bit -i dummy -o stdout
Fluent Bit v2.x.x
* Copyright (C) 2015-2022 The Fluent Bit Authors
* Fluent Bit is a CNCF sub-project under the umbrella of Fluentd
* https://fluentbit.io

[0] dummy.0: [[1686451466.659962491, {}], {"message"=>"dummy"}]
[0] dummy.0: [[1686451467.659679509, {}], {"message"=>"dummy"}]
```

### Configuration File

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

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="fluent-bit.conf" %}

```
[INPUT]
    Name   dummy
    Dummy {"message": "custom dummy"}

[OUTPUT]
    Name   stdout
    Match  *
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="fluent-bit.yaml" %}

```yaml
pipeline:
  inputs:
    - name: dummy
      dummy: '{"message": "custom dummy"}'
  outputs:
    - name: stdout
      match: '*'
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}