====== Test Argument ======

[[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:start|Go up to Terms and Definitions]]

===== Discussion =====

A Test Argument identifies an input or output variable associated with a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequenced_test_object|Sequenced Test Object]].

A Test Argument specifies the variable independently of the value assigned during a particular occurrence of the Sequenced Test Object.

A Test Argument can identify:

  * Its identity
  * Its name
  * Its description
  * Its data type
  * Its direction
  * Whether a value is required
  * The permitted number of values
  * A default [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_argument_value|Test Argument Value]]
  * Permitted values
  * Applicable value constraints
  * Its [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:p:provenance|Provenance]]
  * Its [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:traceability|Traceability]]

The direction of a Test Argument can identify the variable as:

  * An input
  * An output
  * Both an input and an output
  * Unspecified

A Test Argument can be associated with a:

  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_set|Test Set]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_case|Test Case]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_step|Test Step]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_executable|Test Executable]]

A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequence_step|Sequence Step]] can assign a Test Argument Value to a Test Argument for a particular occurrence of the Sequenced Test Object within a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_sequence|Test Sequence]].

===== Definition =====

//identified input or output variable associated with a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequenced_test_object|Sequenced Test Object]]//

===== Source =====

Adapted from:

  * [[https://www.omg.org/spec/TestIF/1.0/Beta3/PDF|OMG Test Information Interchange Format (TestIF), Version 1.0 Beta 3, Section 7.2.1, Argument]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequenced_test_object|Sequenced Test Object]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequence_step|Sequence Step]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_argument_value|Test Argument Value]]
  * DIDO Reference Implementation Conceptual Model
  * DIDO-TE draft Requirements Register

OMG TestIF uses Argument to specify an input or output parameter relevant to performing a step. The DIDO Solutions glossary uses **Test Argument** to distinguish the TestIF concept from the general-language meaning of argument.

===== Note =====

A Test Argument defines a variable. A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_argument_value|Test Argument Value]] assigns a value to that variable.

A Test Argument differs from an Attribute:

  * A Test Argument explicitly identifies an input or output associated with a Sequenced Test Object
  * An Attribute provides descriptive or extensible information about a Test Object

A Test Argument can define a default Test Argument Value. A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequence_step|Sequence Step]] can supply a different Test Argument Value when the applicable [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_definition|Test Definition]] permits the substitution.

A Test Argument can identify multiple values when its permitted multiplicity allows them.

A Test Argument does not prescribe a particular programming-language parameter, command-line option, message field, or serialization representation.

===== Example =====

A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_step|Test Step]] submits a proposed DIDO transaction.

The Test Step defines the following Test Arguments:

  * ''transaction'' as a required input
  * ''targetNode'' as a required input
  * ''submissionIdentifier'' as an output
  * ''submissionStatus'' as an output

A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequence_step|Sequence Step]] assigns the proposed transaction and target [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:n:node|Node]] as Test Argument Values for one occurrence of the Test Step.

During [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_execution|Test Execution]], the resulting [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_run|Test Run]] records the input and output Test Argument Values associated with the executed Sequence Step.

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