raghubetina · December 8, 2020 15:45 · May 16, 2017 · May 16, 2017 · Jun 23, 2016 · Jun 3, 2016
diff --git a/seeding.md b/seeding.md
@@ -29,10 +29,10 @@ bundle install
 Then run the following command:
 
 ```bash
-rake db:seed:dump EXCLUDE=
+rake db:seed:dump EXCLUDE=[]
 ```
 
-This will replace your existing `db/seeds.rb` file (say "yes" if it asks your permission to overwrite).
+This will replace your existing `db/seeds.rb` file (say "yes" if it asks your permission to overwrite). (You could also choose to exclude certain columns.)
 
 You can now `rake db:seed` whenever you want to re-create your data; for example, if things get into a bad state, you can
 

diff --git a/seeding.md b/seeding.md
@@ -50,4 +50,4 @@ The other way to go is to write some plain old Ruby yourself to do the work of C
 
 ## From a CSV
 
-[Here is a guide to seeding from a CSV file.](https://gist.github.com/arjunvenkat/1115bc41bf395a162084)
+[Here is a guide to seeding from a CSV file.](https://guides.firstdraft.com/loading-data-from-a-csv-file-into-your-database.html)
diff --git a/seeding.md b/seeding.md
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ bundle install
 Then run the following command:
 
 ```bash
-rake db:seed:dump EXCLUDE=[]
+rake db:seed:dump EXCLUDE=
 ```
 
 This will replace your existing `db/seeds.rb` file (say "yes" if it asks your permission to overwrite).

diff --git a/seeding.md b/seeding.md
@@ -50,4 +50,4 @@ The other way to go is to write some plain old Ruby yourself to do the work of C
 
 ## From a CSV
 
-[Follow Arjun's guide to seeding from a CSV file.](https://gist.github.com/arjunvenkat/1115bc41bf395a162084)
+[Here is a guide to seeding from a CSV file.](https://gist.github.com/arjunvenkat/1115bc41bf395a162084)
diff --git a/seeding.md b/seeding.md
@@ -48,3 +48,6 @@ to reset. You can re-run `rake db:seed:dump EXCLUDE=[]` at any time to overwrite
 
 The other way to go is to write some plain old Ruby yourself to do the work of CRUDing some starter data. I often use the [faker gem](https://github.com/stympy/faker) to help with this; [here is an example](https://github.com/firstdraft/listception_auth/blob/master/db/seeds.rb).
 
+## From a CSV
+
+[Follow Arjun's guide to seeding from a CSV file.](https://gist.github.com/arjunvenkat/1115bc41bf395a162084)
diff --git a/seeding.md b/seeding.md
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ rake db:migrate
 rake db:seed
 ```
 
-to reset.
+to reset. You can re-run `rake db:seed:dump EXCLUDE=[]` at any time to overwrite your `db/seeds.rb` again with the current state of your tables.
 
 ## Write some Ruby yourself
 

diff --git a/seeding.md b/seeding.md
@@ -43,3 +43,8 @@ rake db:seed
 ```
 
 to reset.
+
+## Write some Ruby yourself
+
+The other way to go is to write some plain old Ruby yourself to do the work of CRUDing some starter data. I often use the [faker gem](https://github.com/stympy/faker) to help with this; [here is an example](https://github.com/firstdraft/listception_auth/blob/master/db/seeds.rb).
+
diff --git a/seeding.md b/seeding.md
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+# Seeding your database
+
+It is very helpful to take the time to pre-populate your database with some dummy data before you start working on any features. It's nice to have some data to look at to see whether you are going down the right path.
+
+It's also very helpful to other developers on the project, so they can get started quickly right after they clone.
+
+Here are two ways to create seed data:
+
+## Manually + `seed_dump`
+
+The simplest way is to use the forms that were written by the generator, and manually enter some realistic data.
+
+(It might help to at least replace the `<input type="text" ...>`s for foreign keys with `<%= select_tag ... %>`s before doing this, to make your life a little easier.)
+
+Once you've added some data to your tables manually, we can use the [seed_dump gem](https://github.com/rroblak/seed_dump) to automatically generate a `db/seeds.rb` file for us:
+
+Add the gem:
+
+```ruby
+# Gemfile
+
+gem "seed_dump"
+```
+
+```bash
+bundle install
+```
+
+Then run the following command:
+
+```bash
+rake db:seed:dump EXCLUDE=[]
+```
+
+This will replace your existing `db/seeds.rb` file (say "yes" if it asks your permission to overwrite).
+
+You can now `rake db:seed` whenever you want to re-create your data; for example, if things get into a bad state, you can
+
+```bash
+rake db:drop
+rake db:migrate
+rake db:seed
+```
+
+to reset.
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