Specialist Task Force 577:
TDL and TOP Enhancements and Maintenance
Who we are:
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What we do
STFs 454, 476, 492, and 522 created the foundation for the Test
Description Language (TDL) in terms of well-defined modelling
concepts, a standardized graphical syntax and exchange format, as well
as support for structured test objective specifications. Further
efforts to boost the TDL adoption and application resulted in a TDL
open-source project (TOP) including implementations of essential tools
that can help users and tool vendors to get started with TDL. The
standardised mapping of TDL to TTCN-3 offers a consistent way to
bridge high level test descriptions and executable test cases and can
serve as a reference for mappings to other targets for executable
tests.
STF577 concentrates on resolving the submitted change requests to the
TDL standard series and the TOP tools, as well as ensuring that all
parts remain consistent and that the language features implemented in
the TOP are consistent with the specifications.
For more details, see our Terms
of Reference
Why we do it
TDL bridges the gap between declarative test purpose specifications
(what shall be tested?) and imperative test case specifications (how
shall it be tested?) by offering a standardised language for the
specification of test descriptions.
Test descriptions in a standardised language ease the development of
executable tests and make test specifications easier to review by
non-testing experts. This can improve the general productivity and
quality of test development in industry as well as in the
standardisation process by relieving test engineers from working on
details of test implementations. An extension to TDL
addresses structured test objective specification to bring test purpose
specifications into the modelling world and streamline the test
specification process even further, especially in the standardisation
processes at ETSI.
The TOP project aims to accelerate the adoption of TDL by lowering the
barrier to entry for both users and tool vendors in getting started with
using TDL. It comprises graphical and textual editors, as well as
validation facilities and other supporting tools.
How we do it
The activities of the STF are coordinated on a regular basis with a
dedicated working group assembled by TC MTS to ensure that the work of
the STF is aligned with expectations and requirements from the different
stakeholders. The working group is also supporting the work of the STF
by providing technical guidance on key technical issues.
The STF interacts with different stakeholders by showcasing the ongoing
work on TDL and its implementation, as well as different application
scenarios in a summary or hands-on manner, depending on the specific
audience. Further dissemination activities from the STF members include
raising awareness and promoting TDL on their respective websites. A
dedicated project has been created on the online issue reporting portal
for ETSI (“ETSI’s Bug Tracker”) where change requests for TDL can be
submitted and managed in an open and transparent manner.
Deliverables
The deliverables for the STF comprise updates to the individual parts*
of ES 203 119, as well as TR 103 119, encompassing:
ES 203 119-1 V1.5.1 Methods for Testing and
Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Part 1:
Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics
ES 203 119-2 V1.4.1 Methods for Testing and
Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Part 2:
Graphical Syntax
ES 203 119-3 V1.4.1 Methods for Testing and
Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Part 3:
Exchange Format
ES 203 119-4 V1.4.1 Methods for Testing and
Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Part 4:
Structured Test Objective Specification (Extension)
ES 203 119-6 V1.2.1 Methods for Testing and
Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Part 6:
Mapping to TTCN-3
ES 203 119-7 V1.2.1 Methods for Testing and
Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Part 7:
Extended Test Configurations
TR 103 119 V1.2.1 Methods for Testing and
Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Reference
Implementation and User Guidelines
* Work items of the TDL standard series which are not affected by CRs
will not be updated.
Time plan
The work of the STF is organised around two intermediate milestones,
due for approval on January 2020, and May 2020, respectively. The
final drafts of the deliverables are expected to be published in July
2020.
Get in contact withthe STF at STF577@groups.etsi.org.
Learn more about TDL and how to contribute at
https://tdl.etsi.org.