# Dummy

The *Dummy* input plugin generates dummy events. Use this plugin 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 messages generate.                                                                         | `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/4.1/administration/multithreading#inputs). | `false`               |

## Get started

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

### Command line

Run the plugin from the command line using the following command:

```shell
fluent-bit -i dummy -o stdout
```

which returns results like the following:

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

### Configuration file

In your main configuration file append the following:

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

```yaml
pipeline:
  inputs:
    - name: dummy
      dummy: '{"message": "custom dummy"}'

  outputs:
    - name: stdout
      match: '*'
```

{% endtab %}

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

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

[OUTPUT]
  Name   stdout
  Match  *
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}