ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Part 1: Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics
Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description Language (TDL); Part 1: Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics
RES/MTS-203119-1v1.8.1
Metode za preskušanje in specificiranje (MTS) - Jezik za opis preskusa (TDL) - 1. del: Abstraktna skladnja in pripadajoče pomenoslovje
Ta dokument določa abstraktno skladnjo jezika za opis preskusov (TDL) v obliki metamodela, ki temelji na konceptu OMG® Meta Object Facility™ (MOF) [1]. Določa tudi pomenoslovje posameznih elementov metamodela TDL. Namen tega dokumenta je, da se uporablja kot osnova za razvoj konkretne skladnje TDL za uporabnike jezika TDL, ter omogoča uporabo orodij za TDL, kot so generatorji dokumentacije, analizatorji specifikacij in generatorji kode. Določanje konkretne skladnje jezika za opis preskusa ne spada na področje uporabe tega dokumenta. Vendar je zaradi boljše nazornosti v dokument vključen primer možne besedilne skladnje skupaj z njeno uporabo v nekaterih obstoječih opisih preskusov ETSI. OPOMBA: OMG®, UML®, OCL™ in UTP™ so blagovne znamke skupine Object Management Group (OMG). Te informacije so navedene za boljše razumevanje standarda s strani uporabnikov in ne pomenijo, da ETSI podpira imenovane izdelke.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
ETSI STANDARD
Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS);
The Test Description Language (TDL);
Part 1: Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics
2 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
Reference
RES/MTS-203119-1v1.8.1
Keywords
language, MBT, methodology, model, testing,
TSS&TP, TTCN-3, UML
ETSI
650 Route des Lucioles
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - FRANCE
Tel.: +33 4 92 94 42 00 Fax: +33 4 93 65 47 16
Siret N° 348 623 562 00017 - APE 7112B
Association à but non lucratif enregistrée à la
Sous-Préfecture de Grasse (06) N° w061004871
Important notice
The present document can be downloaded from the
ETSI Search & Browse Standards application.
The present document may be made available in electronic versions and/or in print. The content of any electronic and/or
print versions of the present document shall not be modified without the prior written authorization of ETSI. In case of any
existing or perceived difference in contents between such versions and/or in print, the prevailing version of an ETSI
deliverable is the one made publicly available in PDF format on ETSI deliver repository.
Users should be aware that the present document may be revised or have its status changed,
this information is available in the Milestones listing.
If you find errors in the present document, please send your comments to
the relevant service listed under Committee Support Staff.
If you find a security vulnerability in the present document, please report it through our
Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD) program.
Notice of disclaimer & limitation of liability
The information provided in the present deliverable is directed solely to professionals who have the appropriate degree of
experience to understand and interpret its content in accordance with generally accepted engineering or
other professional standard and applicable regulations.
No recommendation as to products and services or vendors is made or should be implied.
No representation or warranty is made that this deliverable is technically accurate or sufficient or conforms to any law
and/or governmental rule and/or regulation and further, no representation or warranty is made of merchantability or fitness
for any particular purpose or against infringement of intellectual property rights.
In no event shall ETSI be held liable for loss of profits or any other incidental or consequential damages.
Any software contained in this deliverable is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, express or implied, including but not
limited to, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement of intellectual property
rights and ETSI shall not be held liable in any event for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages
for loss of profits, business interruption, loss of information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of or related to the use
of or inability to use the software.
Copyright Notification
No part may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and
microfilm except as authorized by written permission of ETSI.
The content of the PDF version shall not be modified without the written authorization of ETSI.
The copyright and the foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.
© ETSI 2025.
All rights reserved.
ETSI
3 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 7
Foreword . 7
Modal verbs terminology . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 References . 8
2.1 Normative references . 8
2.2 Informative references . 9
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Terms . 9
3.2 Symbols . 10
3.3 Abbreviations . 10
4 Basic Principles . 10
4.1 What is TDL? . 10
4.2 Design Considerations . 11
4.3 Principal Design Approach. 12
4.4 Document Structure . 13
4.5 Notational Conventions . 14
4.6 Element Operations . 14
4.7 Conformance . 16
5 Foundation . 16
5.1 Overview . 16
5.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 16
5.2.1 Element . 16
5.2.2 NamedElement . 17
5.2.3 PackageableElement . 18
5.2.4 Package . 18
5.2.5 ElementImport . 19
5.2.6 Comment . 20
5.2.7 Annotation . 21
5.2.8 AnnotationType . 21
5.2.9 TestObjective . 22
5.2.10 Extension . 22
5.2.11 ConstraintType . 23
5.2.12 Constraint . 23
6 Data . 25
6.1 Overview . 25
6.2 Data Definition - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 25
6.2.1 DataResourceMapping . 25
6.2.2 MappableDataElement . 26
6.2.3 DataElementMapping . 26
6.2.4 ParameterMapping . 27
6.2.5 DataType . 28
6.2.6 DataInstance . 29
6.2.7 SimpleDataType . 29
6.2.8 SimpleDataInstance . 30
6.2.9 StructuredDataType . 31
6.2.10 Member . 31
6.2.11 StructuredDataInstance . 32
6.2.12 MemberAssignment . 33
6.2.13 CollectionDataType . 34
6.2.14 CollectionDataInstance . 34
6.2.15 ProcedureSignature . 35
6.2.16 ProcedureParameter . 36
ETSI
4 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
6.2.17 ParameterKind . 36
6.2.18 Parameter . 37
6.2.19 FormalParameter . 37
6.2.20 Variable . 38
6.2.21 Action . 38
6.2.22 Function . 39
6.2.23 UnassignedMemberTreatment . 39
6.2.24 PredefinedFunction . 40
6.2.25 EnumDataType . 40
6.3 Data Use - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 41
6.3.1 DataUse . 41
6.3.2 ParameterBinding . 42
6.3.3 MemberReference . 44
6.3.4 StaticDataUse . 44
6.3.5 DataInstanceUse . 45
6.3.6 SpecialValueUse . 46
6.3.7 AnyValue . 46
6.3.8 AnyValueOrOmit . 47
6.3.9 OmitValue. 47
6.3.10 DynamicDataUse . 48
6.3.11 FunctionCall . 48
6.3.12 FormalParameterUse . 49
6.3.13 VariableUse . 49
6.3.14 PredefinedFunctionCall . 50
6.3.15 LiteralValueUse . 50
6.3.16 DataElementUse . 52
6.3.17 CastDataUse . 53
7 Time . 54
7.1 Overview . 54
7.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 54
7.2.1 Time . 54
7.2.2 TimeLabel . 55
7.2.3 TimeLabelUse . 55
7.2.4 TimeLabelUseKind . 56
7.2.5 TimeConstraint . 56
7.2.6 TimeOperation . 58
7.2.7 Wait . 59
7.2.8 Quiescence . 59
7.2.9 Timer . 60
7.2.10 TimerOperation . 61
7.2.11 TimerStart . 61
7.2.12 TimerStop . 61
7.2.13 TimeOut . 62
8 Test Configuration . 62
8.1 Overview . 62
8.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 63
8.2.1 GateType . 63
8.2.2 GateTypeKind . 64
8.2.3 GateInstance . 64
8.2.4 ComponentType . 65
8.2.5 ComponentInstance . 66
8.2.6 ComponentInstanceRole . 66
8.2.7 GateReference . 66
8.2.8 Connection . 67
8.2.9 TestConfiguration . 68
9 Test Behaviour . 68
9.1 Overview . 68
9.2 Test Description - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 69
9.2.1 TestDescription . 69
9.2.2 BehaviourDescription . 70
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5 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
9.3 Combined Behaviour - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 71
9.3.1 Behaviour . 71
9.3.2 Block . 72
9.3.3 LocalExpression . 73
9.3.4 CombinedBehaviour . 73
9.3.5 SingleCombinedBehaviour . 74
9.3.6 CompoundBehaviour . 74
9.3.7 BoundedLoopBehaviour . 75
9.3.8 UnboundedLoopBehaviour . 76
9.3.9 OptionalBehaviour . 76
9.3.10 MultipleCombinedBehaviour . 77
9.3.11 AlternativeBehaviour . 77
9.3.12 ConditionalBehaviour . 79
9.3.13 ParallelBehaviour . 80
9.3.14 ExceptionalBehaviour . 81
9.3.15 DefaultBehaviour . 83
9.3.16 InterruptBehaviour . 84
9.3.17 PeriodicBehaviour . 84
9.4 Atomic Behaviour - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 85
9.4.1 AtomicBehaviour . 85
9.4.2 Break . 86
9.4.3 Stop . 86
9.4.4 VerdictAssignment . 87
9.4.5 Assertion . 87
9.4.6 Interaction . 88
9.4.7 Message . 89
9.4.8 ProcedureCall . 91
9.4.9 Target . 93
9.4.10 ValueAssignment . 94
9.4.11 TestDescriptionReference . 95
9.4.12 ComponentInstanceBinding . 97
9.4.13 ActionBehaviour . 98
9.4.14 ActionReference . 99
9.4.15 InlineAction . 99
9.4.16 Assignment . 99
10 Predefined TDL Model Instances . 100
10.1 Overview . 100
10.2 Predefined Instances of the 'SimpleDataType' Element . 100
10.2.1 Boolean . 100
10.2.2 Integer . 100
10.2.3 String . 101
10.2.4 Verdict . 101
10.3 Predefined Instances of 'SimpleDataInstance' Element . 101
10.3.1 True . 101
10.3.2 False . 101
10.3.3 pass . 101
10.3.4 fail . 101
10.3.5 inconclusive . 101
10.4 Predefined Instances of 'Time' Element . 101
10.4.1 Second . 101
10.5 Predefined Instances of the 'PredefinedFunction' Element . 102
10.5.1 Overview . 102
10.5.2 Functions of Return Type 'Boolean' . 102
10.5.3 Functions of Return Type 'Integer' . 103
10.5.4 Functions of Return Type of Instance of 'Time' . 103
10.6 Predefined Instances of the 'AnnotationType' Element . 103
10.6.1 Master . 103
10.6.2 MappingName . 103
10.6.3 Version . 103
10.6.4 check . 103
10.6.5 where . 104
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6 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
10.7 Predefined Instances of 'ConstraintType' Element . 104
10.7.1 length . 104
10.7.2 minLength . 104
10.7.3 maxLength . 104
10.7.4 range . 104
10.7.5 format . 104
10.7.6 union . 104
10.7.7 uniontype . 104
Annex A (informative): Technical Representation of the TDL Meta-Model . 105
Annex B (informative): Legacy Examples of a TDL Concrete Textual Syntax . 106
Annex C (informative): Bibliography . 107
History . 108
ETSI
7 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The declarations
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, are publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be
found in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to
ETSI in respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the
ETSI IPR online database.
Pursuant to the ETSI Directives including the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation regarding the essentiality of IPRs,
including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not
referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web server) which are, or may be, or may become,
essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
DECT™, PLUGTESTS™, UMTS™ and the ETSI logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its
Members. 3GPP™, LTE™ and 5G™ logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the
3GPP Organizational Partners. oneM2M™ logo is a trademark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of ®
the oneM2M Partners. GSM and the GSM logo are trademarks registered and owned by the GSM Association.
Foreword
This final draft ETSI Standard (ES) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Methods for Testing and
Specification (MTS), and is now submitted for the ETSI Membership Approval Procedure (MAP).
The present document is part 1 of a multi-part deliverable covering the Test Description Language, as identified below:
Part 1: "Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics";
Part 2: "Graphical Syntax";
Part 3: "Exchange Format";
Part 4: "Structured Test Objective Specification (Extension)";
Part 5: "UML profile for TDL";
Part 6: "Mapping to TTCN-3";
Part 7: "Extended Test Configurations";
Part 8: "Textual Syntax";
Part 9: "Test Runtime Interfaces".
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
ETSI
8 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
1 Scope
The present document specifies the abstract syntax of the Test Description Language (TDL) in the form of a ®
meta-model based on the OMG Meta Object Facility™ (MOF) [1]. It also specifies the semantics of the individual
elements of the TDL meta-model. The intended use of the present document is to serve as the basis for the development
of TDL concrete syntaxes aimed at TDL users and to enable TDL tools such as documentation generators, specification
analysers and code generators.
The specification of concrete syntaxes for TDL is outside the scope of the present document. However, for illustrative
purposes, an example of a possible textual syntax together with its application on some existing ETSI test descriptions
are provided.
® ®
NOTE: OMG , UML , OCL™ and UTP™ are the trademarks of OMG (Object Management Group). This
information is given for the convenience of users of the present document and does not constitute an
endorsement by ETSI of the products named.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found in the
ETSI docbox.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document. ®
[1] OMG formal/2013-06-01: "Documents Associated With Meta Object Facility™ (MOF™)
Version 2.4.1". ®
[2] OMG formal/2011-08-06: "OMG Unified Modeling Language™ (OMG UML), Superstructure,
Version 2.4.1". ®
[3] OMG formal/2014-02-03: "Documents Associated With Object Constraint Language™
(OCL™)", Version 2.4.
[4] Void.
[5] ETSI ES 203 119-3: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 3: Exchange Format".
[6] ETSI ES 203 119-4: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 4: Structured Test Objective Specification (Extension)".
[7] ISO/IEC 9646-1:1994: "Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection —
Conformance testing methodology and framework — Part 1: General concepts".
[8] ETSI ES 203 119-8: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 8: Textual Syntax".
ETSI
9 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents may be useful in implementing an ETSI deliverable or add to the reader's
understanding, but are not required for conformance to the present document.
[i.1] ETSI ES 201 873-1 (V4.5.1): "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Testing and
Test Control Notation version 3; Part 1: TTCN-3 Core Language".
[i.2] Void.
[i.3] Void.
[i.4] ETSI: "The TDL Open Source Project Website", last visited 20.12.2021.
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
abstract syntax: graph structure representing a TDL specification in an independent form of any particular encoding
action: any procedure carried out by a component of a test configuration or an actor during test execution
actor: abstraction of entities outside a test configuration that interact directly with the components of that test
configuration
component: active element of a test configuration that is either in the role tester or system under test
concrete syntax: particular representation of a TDL specification, encoded in a textual, graphical, tabular or any other
format suitable for the users of this language
effectively static: any data specification that is statically determined (also recursively for all parameter bindings) and
can be considered constant during the execution
interaction: any form of communication between components that is accompanied with an exchange of data
meta-model: modelling elements representing the abstract syntax of a language
resolved data type: data type of a data use, determined by a referenced data instance, data type, parameter, return type
of a function, or the context where the data use is defined
scope of behaviour: components participating in a behaviour
System Under Test (SUT): role of a component within a test configuration whose behaviour is validated when
executing a test description
TDL model: instance of the TDL meta-model
TDL specification: representation of a TDL model given in a concrete syntax
test configuration: specification of a set of components that contains at least one tester component and one system
under test component plus their interconnections via gates and connections
test description: specification of test behaviour that runs on a given test configuration
ETSI
10 Final draft ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-05)
test verdict: result from executing a test description
tester: role of a component within a test configuration that controls the execution of a test description against the
components in the role system under test
tester-input event: event that occurs at a component in the role tester and determines the subsequent behaviour of this
tester component
NOTE: Tester-input events in the present document are the following:
Quiescence.
TimeOut.
An 'Interaction' with a 'Target' that in turn-via its 'GateReference'-refers to a 'ComponentInstance'
in the role 'Tester'. If the source of an 'Interaction' is also a tester then it is not a tester-input event.
: semantical concept denoting an undefined data value
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ADT Abstract Data Type
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
ISO International Organization for Standardization
MBT Model-Based Testing
MOF Meta Object Facility™
OCL Object Constraint Language™ ®
OMG Object Management Group
SUT System Under Test
TDL Test Description Language
TTCN-3 Testing and Test Control Notation version 3 ®
UML Unified Modelling Language
URI Unified Resource Identifier
XML eXtensible Markup Language
4 Basic Principles
4.1 What is TDL?
TDL is a language that supports the design and documentation of formal test descriptions that may be the basis for the
implementation of executable tests in a given test framework, such as TTCN-3 [i.1]. Application areas of TDL that will
benefit from this homogeneous approach to the test design phase include:
• Manual design of test descriptions from a test purpose specification, user stories in test driven development or
other sources.
• Representation of test descriptions derived from other sources
...
ETSI STANDARD
Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS);
The Test Description Language (TDL);
Part 1: Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics
2 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
Reference
RES/MTS-203119-1v1.8.1
Keywords
language, MBT, methodology, model, testing,
TSS&TP, TTCN-3, UML
ETSI
650 Route des Lucioles
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - FRANCE
Tel.: +33 4 92 94 42 00 Fax: +33 4 93 65 47 16
Siret N° 348 623 562 00017 - APE 7112B
Association à but non lucratif enregistrée à la
Sous-Préfecture de Grasse (06) N° w061004871
Important notice
The present document can be downloaded from the
ETSI Search & Browse Standards application.
The present document may be made available in electronic versions and/or in print. The content of any electronic and/or
print versions of the present document shall not be modified without the prior written authorization of ETSI. In case of any
existing or perceived difference in contents between such versions and/or in print, the prevailing version of an ETSI
deliverable is the one made publicly available in PDF format on ETSI deliver repository.
Users should be aware that the present document may be revised or have its status changed,
this information is available in the Milestones listing.
If you find errors in the present document, please send your comments to
the relevant service listed under Committee Support Staff.
If you find a security vulnerability in the present document, please report it through our
Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD) program.
Notice of disclaimer & limitation of liability
The information provided in the present deliverable is directed solely to professionals who have the appropriate degree of
experience to understand and interpret its content in accordance with generally accepted engineering or
other professional standard and applicable regulations.
No recommendation as to products and services or vendors is made or should be implied.
No representation or warranty is made that this deliverable is technically accurate or sufficient or conforms to any law
and/or governmental rule and/or regulation and further, no representation or warranty is made of merchantability or fitness
for any particular purpose or against infringement of intellectual property rights.
In no event shall ETSI be held liable for loss of profits or any other incidental or consequential damages.
Any software contained in this deliverable is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, express or implied, including but not
limited to, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement of intellectual property
rights and ETSI shall not be held liable in any event for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages
for loss of profits, business interruption, loss of information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of or related to the use
of or inability to use the software.
Copyright Notification
No part may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and
microfilm except as authorized by written permission of ETSI.
The content of the PDF version shall not be modified without the written authorization of ETSI.
The copyright and the foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.
© ETSI 2025.
All rights reserved.
ETSI
3 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 7
Foreword . 7
Modal verbs terminology . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 References . 8
2.1 Normative references . 8
2.2 Informative references . 9
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Terms . 9
3.2 Symbols . 10
3.3 Abbreviations . 10
4 Basic Principles . 10
4.1 What is TDL? . 10
4.2 Design Considerations . 11
4.3 Principal Design Approach. 12
4.4 Document Structure . 13
4.5 Notational Conventions . 14
4.6 Element Operations . 14
4.7 Conformance . 16
5 Foundation . 16
5.1 Overview . 16
5.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 16
5.2.1 Element . 16
5.2.2 NamedElement . 17
5.2.3 PackageableElement . 18
5.2.4 Package . 18
5.2.5 ElementImport . 19
5.2.6 Comment . 20
5.2.7 Annotation . 21
5.2.8 AnnotationType . 21
5.2.9 TestObjective . 22
5.2.10 Extension . 22
5.2.11 ConstraintType . 23
5.2.12 Constraint . 23
6 Data . 25
6.1 Overview . 25
6.2 Data Definition - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 25
6.2.1 DataResourceMapping . 25
6.2.2 MappableDataElement . 26
6.2.3 DataElementMapping . 26
6.2.4 ParameterMapping . 27
6.2.5 DataType . 28
6.2.6 DataInstance . 29
6.2.7 SimpleDataType . 29
6.2.8 SimpleDataInstance . 30
6.2.9 StructuredDataType . 31
6.2.10 Member . 31
6.2.11 StructuredDataInstance . 32
6.2.12 MemberAssignment . 33
6.2.13 CollectionDataType . 34
6.2.14 CollectionDataInstance . 34
6.2.15 ProcedureSignature . 35
6.2.16 ProcedureParameter . 36
ETSI
4 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
6.2.17 ParameterKind . 36
6.2.18 Parameter . 37
6.2.19 FormalParameter . 37
6.2.20 Variable . 38
6.2.21 Action . 38
6.2.22 Function . 39
6.2.23 UnassignedMemberTreatment . 39
6.2.24 PredefinedFunction . 40
6.2.25 EnumDataType . 40
6.3 Data Use - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 41
6.3.1 DataUse . 41
6.3.2 ParameterBinding . 42
6.3.3 MemberReference . 44
6.3.4 StaticDataUse . 44
6.3.5 DataInstanceUse . 45
6.3.6 SpecialValueUse . 46
6.3.7 AnyValue . 46
6.3.8 AnyValueOrOmit . 47
6.3.9 OmitValue. 47
6.3.10 DynamicDataUse . 48
6.3.11 FunctionCall . 48
6.3.12 FormalParameterUse . 49
6.3.13 VariableUse . 49
6.3.14 PredefinedFunctionCall . 50
6.3.15 LiteralValueUse . 50
6.3.16 DataElementUse . 52
6.3.17 CastDataUse . 53
7 Time . 54
7.1 Overview . 54
7.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 54
7.2.1 Time . 54
7.2.2 TimeLabel . 55
7.2.3 TimeLabelUse . 55
7.2.4 TimeLabelUseKind . 56
7.2.5 TimeConstraint . 56
7.2.6 TimeOperation . 58
7.2.7 Wait . 59
7.2.8 Quiescence . 59
7.2.9 Timer . 60
7.2.10 TimerOperation . 61
7.2.11 TimerStart . 61
7.2.12 TimerStop . 61
7.2.13 TimeOut . 62
8 Test Configuration . 62
8.1 Overview . 62
8.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 63
8.2.1 GateType . 63
8.2.2 GateTypeKind . 64
8.2.3 GateInstance . 64
8.2.4 ComponentType . 65
8.2.5 ComponentInstance . 66
8.2.6 ComponentInstanceRole . 66
8.2.7 GateReference . 66
8.2.8 Connection . 67
8.2.9 TestConfiguration . 68
9 Test Behaviour . 68
9.1 Overview . 68
9.2 Test Description - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 69
9.2.1 TestDescription . 69
9.2.2 BehaviourDescription . 70
ETSI
5 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
9.3 Combined Behaviour - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 71
9.3.1 Behaviour . 71
9.3.2 Block . 72
9.3.3 LocalExpression . 73
9.3.4 CombinedBehaviour . 73
9.3.5 SingleCombinedBehaviour . 74
9.3.6 CompoundBehaviour . 74
9.3.7 BoundedLoopBehaviour . 75
9.3.8 UnboundedLoopBehaviour . 76
9.3.9 OptionalBehaviour . 76
9.3.10 MultipleCombinedBehaviour . 77
9.3.11 AlternativeBehaviour . 77
9.3.12 ConditionalBehaviour . 79
9.3.13 ParallelBehaviour . 80
9.3.14 ExceptionalBehaviour . 81
9.3.15 DefaultBehaviour . 83
9.3.16 InterruptBehaviour . 84
9.3.17 PeriodicBehaviour . 84
9.4 Atomic Behaviour - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 85
9.4.1 AtomicBehaviour . 85
9.4.2 Break . 86
9.4.3 Stop . 86
9.4.4 VerdictAssignment . 87
9.4.5 Assertion . 87
9.4.6 Interaction . 88
9.4.7 Message . 89
9.4.8 ProcedureCall . 91
9.4.9 Target . 93
9.4.10 ValueAssignment . 94
9.4.11 TestDescriptionReference . 95
9.4.12 ComponentInstanceBinding . 97
9.4.13 ActionBehaviour . 98
9.4.14 ActionReference . 99
9.4.15 InlineAction . 99
9.4.16 Assignment . 99
10 Predefined TDL Model Instances . 100
10.1 Overview . 100
10.2 Predefined Instances of the 'SimpleDataType' Element . 100
10.2.1 Boolean . 100
10.2.2 Integer . 100
10.2.3 String . 101
10.2.4 Verdict . 101
10.3 Predefined Instances of 'SimpleDataInstance' Element . 101
10.3.1 True . 101
10.3.2 False . 101
10.3.3 pass . 101
10.3.4 fail . 101
10.3.5 inconclusive . 101
10.4 Predefined Instances of 'Time' Element . 101
10.4.1 Second . 101
10.5 Predefined Instances of the 'PredefinedFunction' Element . 102
10.5.1 Overview . 102
10.5.2 Functions of Return Type 'Boolean' . 102
10.5.3 Functions of Return Type 'Integer' . 103
10.5.4 Functions of Return Type of Instance of 'Time' . 103
10.6 Predefined Instances of the 'AnnotationType' Element . 103
10.6.1 Master . 103
10.6.2 MappingName . 103
10.6.3 Version . 103
10.6.4 check . 103
10.6.5 where . 104
ETSI
6 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
10.7 Predefined Instances of 'ConstraintType' Element . 104
10.7.1 length . 104
10.7.2 minLength . 104
10.7.3 maxLength . 104
10.7.4 range . 104
10.7.5 format . 104
10.7.6 union . 104
10.7.7 uniontype . 104
Annex A (informative): Technical Representation of the TDL Meta-Model . 105
Annex B (informative): Legacy Examples of a TDL Concrete Textual Syntax . 106
Annex C (informative): Bibliography . 107
History . 108
ETSI
7 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The declarations
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, are publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be
found in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to
ETSI in respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the
ETSI IPR online database.
Pursuant to the ETSI Directives including the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation regarding the essentiality of IPRs,
including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not
referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web server) which are, or may be, or may become,
essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
DECT™, PLUGTESTS™, UMTS™ and the ETSI logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its
Members. 3GPP™, LTE™ and 5G™ logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the
3GPP Organizational Partners. oneM2M™ logo is a trademark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of ®
the oneM2M Partners. GSM and the GSM logo are trademarks registered and owned by the GSM Association.
Foreword
This ETSI Standard (ES) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Methods for Testing and Specification
(MTS).
The present document is part 1 of a multi-part deliverable covering the Test Description Language, as identified below:
Part 1: "Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics";
Part 2: "Graphical Syntax";
Part 3: "Exchange Format";
Part 4: "Structured Test Objective Specification (Extension)";
Part 5: "UML profile for TDL";
Part 6: "Mapping to TTCN-3";
Part 7: "Extended Test Configurations";
Part 8: "Textual Syntax";
Part 9: "Test Runtime Interfaces".
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
ETSI
8 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
1 Scope
The present document specifies the abstract syntax of the Test Description Language (TDL) in the form of a ®
meta-model based on the OMG Meta Object Facility™ (MOF) [1]. It also specifies the semantics of the individual
elements of the TDL meta-model. The intended use of the present document is to serve as the basis for the development
of TDL concrete syntaxes aimed at TDL users and to enable TDL tools such as documentation generators, specification
analysers and code generators.
The specification of concrete syntaxes for TDL is outside the scope of the present document. However, for illustrative
purposes, an example of a possible textual syntax together with its application on some existing ETSI test descriptions
are provided.
® ®
NOTE: OMG , UML , OCL™ and UTP™ are the trademarks of OMG (Object Management Group). This
information is given for the convenience of users of the present document and does not constitute an
endorsement by ETSI of the products named.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found in the
ETSI docbox.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document. ®
[1] OMG formal/2013-06-01: "Documents Associated With Meta Object Facility™ (MOF™)
Version 2.4.1". ®
[2] OMG formal/2011-08-06: "OMG Unified Modeling Language™ (OMG UML), Superstructure,
Version 2.4.1". ®
[3] OMG formal/2014-02-03: "Documents Associated With Object Constraint Language™
(OCL™)", Version 2.4.
[4] Void.
[5] ETSI ES 203 119-3: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 3: Exchange Format".
[6] ETSI ES 203 119-4: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 4: Structured Test Objective Specification (Extension)".
[7] ISO/IEC 9646-1:1994: "Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection —
Conformance testing methodology and framework — Part 1: General concepts".
[8] ETSI ES 203 119-8: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 8: Textual Syntax".
ETSI
9 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents may be useful in implementing an ETSI deliverable or add to the reader's
understanding, but are not required for conformance to the present document.
[i.1] ETSI ES 201 873-1 (V4.5.1): "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Testing and
Test Control Notation version 3; Part 1: TTCN-3 Core Language".
[i.2] Void.
[i.3] Void.
[i.4] ETSI: "The TDL Open Source Project Website", last visited 20.12.2021.
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
abstract syntax: graph structure representing a TDL specification in an independent form of any particular encoding
action: any procedure carried out by a component of a test configuration or an actor during test execution
actor: abstraction of entities outside a test configuration that interact directly with the components of that test
configuration
component: active element of a test configuration that is either in the role tester or system under test
concrete syntax: particular representation of a TDL specification, encoded in a textual, graphical, tabular or any other
format suitable for the users of this language
effectively static: any data specification that is statically determined (also recursively for all parameter bindings) and
can be considered constant during the execution
interaction: any form of communication between components that is accompanied with an exchange of data
meta-model: modelling elements representing the abstract syntax of a language
resolved data type: data type of a data use, determined by a referenced data instance, data type, parameter, return type
of a function, or the context where the data use is defined
scope of behaviour: components participating in a behaviour
System Under Test (SUT): role of a component within a test configuration whose behaviour is validated when
executing a test description
TDL model: instance of the TDL meta-model
TDL specification: representation of a TDL model given in a concrete syntax
test configuration: specification of a set of components that contains at least one tester component and one system
under test component plus their interconnections via gates and connections
test description: specification of test behaviour that runs on a given test configuration
ETSI
10 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
test verdict: result from executing a test description
tester: role of a component within a test configuration that controls the execution of a test description against the
components in the role system under test
tester-input event: event that occurs at a component in the role tester and determines the subsequent behaviour of this
tester component
NOTE: Tester-input events in the present document are the following:
Quiescence.
TimeOut.
An 'Interaction' with a 'Target' that in turn-via its 'GateReference'-refers to a 'ComponentInstance'
in the role 'Tester'. If the source of an 'Interaction' is also a tester then it is not a tester-input event.
: semantical concept denoting an undefined data value
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ADT Abstract Data Type
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
ISO International Organization for Standardization
MBT Model-Based Testing
MOF Meta Object Facility™
OCL Object Constraint Language™ ®
OMG Object Management Group
SUT System Under Test
TDL Test Description Language
TTCN-3 Testing and Test Control Notation version 3 ®
UML Unified Modelling Language
URI Unified Resource Identifier
XML eXtensible Markup Language
4 Basic Principles
4.1 What is TDL?
TDL is a language that supports the design and documentation of formal test descriptions that may be the basis for the
implementation of executable tests in a given test framework, such as TTCN-3 [i.1]. Application areas of TDL that will
benefit from this homogeneous approach to the test design phase include:
• Manual design of test descriptions from a test purpose specification, user stories in test driven development or
other sources.
• Representation of test descriptions derived from other sources such as MBT test generation tools, system
simulators, or test execution traces from test runs.
TDL supports the design of black-box tests for distributed, concurrent real-time systems. It is applicable to a wi
...
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2025
Metode za preskušanje in specificiranje (MTS) - Jezik za opis preskusa (TDL) - 1.
del: Abstraktna skladnja in pripadajoče pomenoslovje
Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS) - The Test Description Language (TDL) -
Part 1: Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
ICS:
35.060 Jeziki, ki se uporabljajo v Languages used in
informacijski tehniki in information technology
tehnologiji
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
ETSI STANDARD
Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS);
The Test Description Language (TDL);
Part 1: Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics
2 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
Reference
RES/MTS-203119-1v1.8.1
Keywords
language, MBT, methodology, model, testing,
TSS&TP, TTCN-3, UML
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All rights reserved.
ETSI
3 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 7
Foreword . 7
Modal verbs terminology . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 References . 8
2.1 Normative references . 8
2.2 Informative references . 9
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Terms . 9
3.2 Symbols . 10
3.3 Abbreviations . 10
4 Basic Principles . 10
4.1 What is TDL? . 10
4.2 Design Considerations . 11
4.3 Principal Design Approach. 12
4.4 Document Structure . 13
4.5 Notational Conventions . 14
4.6 Element Operations . 14
4.7 Conformance . 16
5 Foundation . 16
5.1 Overview . 16
5.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 16
5.2.1 Element . 16
5.2.2 NamedElement . 17
5.2.3 PackageableElement . 18
5.2.4 Package . 18
5.2.5 ElementImport . 19
5.2.6 Comment . 20
5.2.7 Annotation . 21
5.2.8 AnnotationType . 21
5.2.9 TestObjective . 22
5.2.10 Extension . 22
5.2.11 ConstraintType . 23
5.2.12 Constraint . 23
6 Data . 25
6.1 Overview . 25
6.2 Data Definition - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 25
6.2.1 DataResourceMapping . 25
6.2.2 MappableDataElement . 26
6.2.3 DataElementMapping . 26
6.2.4 ParameterMapping . 27
6.2.5 DataType . 28
6.2.6 DataInstance . 29
6.2.7 SimpleDataType . 29
6.2.8 SimpleDataInstance . 30
6.2.9 StructuredDataType . 31
6.2.10 Member . 31
6.2.11 StructuredDataInstance . 32
6.2.12 MemberAssignment . 33
6.2.13 CollectionDataType . 34
6.2.14 CollectionDataInstance . 34
6.2.15 ProcedureSignature . 35
6.2.16 ProcedureParameter . 36
ETSI
4 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
6.2.17 ParameterKind . 36
6.2.18 Parameter . 37
6.2.19 FormalParameter . 37
6.2.20 Variable . 38
6.2.21 Action . 38
6.2.22 Function . 39
6.2.23 UnassignedMemberTreatment . 39
6.2.24 PredefinedFunction . 40
6.2.25 EnumDataType . 40
6.3 Data Use - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 41
6.3.1 DataUse . 41
6.3.2 ParameterBinding . 42
6.3.3 MemberReference . 44
6.3.4 StaticDataUse . 44
6.3.5 DataInstanceUse . 45
6.3.6 SpecialValueUse . 46
6.3.7 AnyValue . 46
6.3.8 AnyValueOrOmit . 47
6.3.9 OmitValue. 47
6.3.10 DynamicDataUse . 48
6.3.11 FunctionCall . 48
6.3.12 FormalParameterUse . 49
6.3.13 VariableUse . 49
6.3.14 PredefinedFunctionCall . 50
6.3.15 LiteralValueUse . 50
6.3.16 DataElementUse . 52
6.3.17 CastDataUse . 53
7 Time . 54
7.1 Overview . 54
7.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 54
7.2.1 Time . 54
7.2.2 TimeLabel . 55
7.2.3 TimeLabelUse . 55
7.2.4 TimeLabelUseKind . 56
7.2.5 TimeConstraint . 56
7.2.6 TimeOperation . 58
7.2.7 Wait . 59
7.2.8 Quiescence . 59
7.2.9 Timer . 60
7.2.10 TimerOperation . 61
7.2.11 TimerStart . 61
7.2.12 TimerStop . 61
7.2.13 TimeOut . 62
8 Test Configuration . 62
8.1 Overview . 62
8.2 Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 63
8.2.1 GateType . 63
8.2.2 GateTypeKind . 64
8.2.3 GateInstance . 64
8.2.4 ComponentType . 65
8.2.5 ComponentInstance . 66
8.2.6 ComponentInstanceRole . 66
8.2.7 GateReference . 66
8.2.8 Connection . 67
8.2.9 TestConfiguration . 68
9 Test Behaviour . 68
9.1 Overview . 68
9.2 Test Description - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 69
9.2.1 TestDescription . 69
9.2.2 BehaviourDescription . 70
ETSI
5 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
9.3 Combined Behaviour - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 71
9.3.1 Behaviour . 71
9.3.2 Block . 72
9.3.3 LocalExpression . 73
9.3.4 CombinedBehaviour . 73
9.3.5 SingleCombinedBehaviour . 74
9.3.6 CompoundBehaviour . 74
9.3.7 BoundedLoopBehaviour . 75
9.3.8 UnboundedLoopBehaviour . 76
9.3.9 OptionalBehaviour . 76
9.3.10 MultipleCombinedBehaviour . 77
9.3.11 AlternativeBehaviour . 77
9.3.12 ConditionalBehaviour . 79
9.3.13 ParallelBehaviour . 80
9.3.14 ExceptionalBehaviour . 81
9.3.15 DefaultBehaviour . 83
9.3.16 InterruptBehaviour . 84
9.3.17 PeriodicBehaviour . 84
9.4 Atomic Behaviour - Abstract Syntax and Classifier Description . 85
9.4.1 AtomicBehaviour . 85
9.4.2 Break . 86
9.4.3 Stop . 86
9.4.4 VerdictAssignment . 87
9.4.5 Assertion . 87
9.4.6 Interaction . 88
9.4.7 Message . 89
9.4.8 ProcedureCall . 91
9.4.9 Target . 93
9.4.10 ValueAssignment . 94
9.4.11 TestDescriptionReference . 95
9.4.12 ComponentInstanceBinding . 97
9.4.13 ActionBehaviour . 98
9.4.14 ActionReference . 99
9.4.15 InlineAction . 99
9.4.16 Assignment . 99
10 Predefined TDL Model Instances . 100
10.1 Overview . 100
10.2 Predefined Instances of the 'SimpleDataType' Element . 100
10.2.1 Boolean . 100
10.2.2 Integer . 100
10.2.3 String . 101
10.2.4 Verdict . 101
10.3 Predefined Instances of 'SimpleDataInstance' Element . 101
10.3.1 True . 101
10.3.2 False . 101
10.3.3 pass . 101
10.3.4 fail . 101
10.3.5 inconclusive . 101
10.4 Predefined Instances of 'Time' Element . 101
10.4.1 Second . 101
10.5 Predefined Instances of the 'PredefinedFunction' Element . 102
10.5.1 Overview . 102
10.5.2 Functions of Return Type 'Boolean' . 102
10.5.3 Functions of Return Type 'Integer' . 103
10.5.4 Functions of Return Type of Instance of 'Time' . 103
10.6 Predefined Instances of the 'AnnotationType' Element . 103
10.6.1 Master . 103
10.6.2 MappingName . 103
10.6.3 Version . 103
10.6.4 check . 103
10.6.5 where . 104
ETSI
6 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
10.7 Predefined Instances of 'ConstraintType' Element . 104
10.7.1 length . 104
10.7.2 minLength . 104
10.7.3 maxLength . 104
10.7.4 range . 104
10.7.5 format . 104
10.7.6 union . 104
10.7.7 uniontype . 104
Annex A (informative): Technical Representation of the TDL Meta-Model . 105
Annex B (informative): Legacy Examples of a TDL Concrete Textual Syntax . 106
Annex C (informative): Bibliography . 107
History . 108
ETSI
7 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The declarations
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, are publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be
found in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to
ETSI in respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the
ETSI IPR online database.
Pursuant to the ETSI Directives including the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation regarding the essentiality of IPRs,
including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not
referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web server) which are, or may be, or may become,
essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
DECT™, PLUGTESTS™, UMTS™ and the ETSI logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its
Members. 3GPP™, LTE™ and 5G™ logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the
3GPP Organizational Partners. oneM2M™ logo is a trademark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of ®
the oneM2M Partners. GSM and the GSM logo are trademarks registered and owned by the GSM Association.
Foreword
This ETSI Standard (ES) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Methods for Testing and Specification
(MTS).
The present document is part 1 of a multi-part deliverable covering the Test Description Language, as identified below:
Part 1: "Abstract Syntax and Associated Semantics";
Part 2: "Graphical Syntax";
Part 3: "Exchange Format";
Part 4: "Structured Test Objective Specification (Extension)";
Part 5: "UML profile for TDL";
Part 6: "Mapping to TTCN-3";
Part 7: "Extended Test Configurations";
Part 8: "Textual Syntax";
Part 9: "Test Runtime Interfaces".
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
ETSI
8 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
1 Scope
The present document specifies the abstract syntax of the Test Description Language (TDL) in the form of a ®
meta-model based on the OMG Meta Object Facility™ (MOF) [1]. It also specifies the semantics of the individual
elements of the TDL meta-model. The intended use of the present document is to serve as the basis for the development
of TDL concrete syntaxes aimed at TDL users and to enable TDL tools such as documentation generators, specification
analysers and code generators.
The specification of concrete syntaxes for TDL is outside the scope of the present document. However, for illustrative
purposes, an example of a possible textual syntax together with its application on some existing ETSI test descriptions
are provided.
® ®
NOTE: OMG , UML , OCL™ and UTP™ are the trademarks of OMG (Object Management Group). This
information is given for the convenience of users of the present document and does not constitute an
endorsement by ETSI of the products named.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found in the
ETSI docbox.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document. ®
[1] OMG formal/2013-06-01: "Documents Associated With Meta Object Facility™ (MOF™)
Version 2.4.1". ®
[2] OMG formal/2011-08-06: "OMG Unified Modeling Language™ (OMG UML), Superstructure,
Version 2.4.1". ®
[3] OMG formal/2014-02-03: "Documents Associated With Object Constraint Language™
(OCL™)", Version 2.4.
[4] Void.
[5] ETSI ES 203 119-3: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 3: Exchange Format".
[6] ETSI ES 203 119-4: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 4: Structured Test Objective Specification (Extension)".
[7] ISO/IEC 9646-1:1994: "Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection —
Conformance testing methodology and framework — Part 1: General concepts".
[8] ETSI ES 203 119-8: "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Test Description
Language (TDL); Part 8: Textual Syntax".
ETSI
9 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents may be useful in implementing an ETSI deliverable or add to the reader's
understanding, but are not required for conformance to the present document.
[i.1] ETSI ES 201 873-1 (V4.5.1): "Methods for Testing and Specification (MTS); The Testing and
Test Control Notation version 3; Part 1: TTCN-3 Core Language".
[i.2] Void.
[i.3] Void.
[i.4] ETSI: "The TDL Open Source Project Website", last visited 20.12.2021.
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
abstract syntax: graph structure representing a TDL specification in an independent form of any particular encoding
action: any procedure carried out by a component of a test configuration or an actor during test execution
actor: abstraction of entities outside a test configuration that interact directly with the components of that test
configuration
component: active element of a test configuration that is either in the role tester or system under test
concrete syntax: particular representation of a TDL specification, encoded in a textual, graphical, tabular or any other
format suitable for the users of this language
effectively static: any data specification that is statically determined (also recursively for all parameter bindings) and
can be considered constant during the execution
interaction: any form of communication between components that is accompanied with an exchange of data
meta-model: modelling elements representing the abstract syntax of a language
resolved data type: data type of a data use, determined by a referenced data instance, data type, parameter, return type
of a function, or the context where the data use is defined
scope of behaviour: components participating in a behaviour
System Under Test (SUT): role of a component within a test configuration whose behaviour is validated when
executing a test description
TDL model: instance of the TDL meta-model
TDL specification: representation of a TDL model given in a concrete syntax
test configuration: specification of a set of components that contains at least one tester component and one system
under test component plus their interconnections via gates and connections
test description: specification of test behaviour that runs on a given test configuration
ETSI
10 ETSI ES 203 119-1 V1.8.1 (2025-07)
test verdict: result from executing a test description
tester: role of a component within a test configuration that controls the execution of a test description against the
components in the role system under test
tester-input event: event that occurs at a component in the role tester and determines the subsequent behaviour of this
tester component
NOTE: Tester-input events in the present document are the following:
Quiescence.
TimeOut.
An 'Interaction' with a 'Target' that in turn-via its 'GateReference'-refers to a 'ComponentInstance'
in the role 'Tester'. If the source of an 'Interaction' is also a tester then it is not a tester-input event.
: semantical concept denoting an undefined data value
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ADT Abstract Data Type
IEC International Electrotechnical Commissi
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