DatabasesBeginner
Seed Data
PronunciationSEED DAY-tuh
Definition
Seed data refers to the initial set of records loaded into a database when it is first set up or reset. It often includes essential configuration, default roles, or sample entries needed for the application to function correctly.
Where you hear it
- During local development setup - In automated testing and database migrations - When deploying a new environment
Examples
Run the database seeder command to populate the roles table with default values.
The test suite automatically clears the database and loads seed data before every run.
Common mistake
Treating seed data as production data, or forgetting that seed scripts should be idempotent so running them multiple times does not create unwanted duplicates.