====== Test Item ======

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

===== Discussion =====

A Test Item is a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_object|Test Object]] that identifies an entity within the scope of a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test|Test]].

A Test Item can identify:

  * The complete [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:system_under_test|System Under Test]]
  * A component of the System Under Test
  * A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:distributed_system|Distributed System]]
  * A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:n:node|Node]]
  * A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:n:node_set|Node Set]]
  * A service
  * An interface
  * A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:c:communication_endpoint|Communication Endpoint]]
  * A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:data_object|Data Object]]
  * An [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:i:immutable_data_object|Immutable Data Object]]
  * A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:dido|Distributed Immutable Data Object (DIDO)]]
  * A configuration
  * A communication path
  * A supporting test component
  * An external system
  * Another entity relevant to the Test

A Test Item identifies what participates in or affects the Test. The applicable [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_definition|Test Definition]] determines whether the Test Item constitutes the subject being evaluated, a supporting participant, a test instrument, or another relevant entity.

A Test Item can contain or reference other Test Items. This permits a Test Item to represent a composite entity such as a Distributed System, Node Set, application, subsystem, or multi-component service.

A Test Item can identify:

  * Its identity
  * Its type
  * Its version
  * Its configuration
  * Its role in the Test
  * Its relationship to other Test Items
  * Its relationship to the System Under Test
  * Its applicable constraints
  * Its applicable [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:g:governance_policy|Governance Policies]]
  * Its [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:p:provenance|Provenance]]
  * Its [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:traceability|Traceability]]

A Test Item can participate in a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_environment|Test Environment]] associated with a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequenced_test_object|Sequenced Test Object]].

The Sequenced Test Object can identify the Test Items relevant to 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:t:test_run|Test Run]] records the execution context associated with the Test Items used during [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_execution|Test Execution]].

A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_result|Test Result]] can reference the Test Item whose behavior, state, value, or outcome contributed to the recorded result.

===== Definition =====

//[[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_object|Test Object]] that identifies an entity within the scope of a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test|Test]]//

===== 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 7.3.8, TestItem]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_object|Test Object]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_environment|Test Environment]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:dido-te|Distributed Immutable Data Object Test Environment (DIDO-TE)]]
  * DIDO Reference Implementation Conceptual Model
  * DIDO-TE draft Requirements Register

OMG TestIF defines TestItem as an entity within the scope of a Test and permits Test Items to describe the System Under Test and related objects. This definition preserves that scope while distinguishing a Test Item from the Test Objects that specify execution or record results.

===== Note =====

A Test Item is not necessarily the [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:system_under_test|System Under Test]].

The System Under Test is the Test Item, or collection of Test Items, whose behavior, properties, state, or outcomes the [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test|Test]] evaluates.

Supporting Test Items can include:

  * Test drivers
  * Test harnesses
  * Simulators
  * Emulators
  * Monitoring components
  * External services
  * Data sources
  * Time sources
  * Communication components
  * Evidence-collection components

A Test Item differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_environment|Test Environment]]:

  * A Test Item identifies an entity within the scope of the Test
  * A Test Environment identifies the configured combination of Test Items, resources, conditions, and controls within which the Test is executed

A Test Item differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:sequenced_test_object|Sequenced Test Object]]:

  * A Test Item identifies an entity within the scope of the Test
  * A Sequenced Test Object identifies test information that can participate in a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_sequence|Test Sequence]]

A Test Item differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_set|Test Set]]:

  * A Test Item identifies an entity within the scope of the Test
  * A Test Set groups Test Sets, Test Cases, and related Test Objects for a defined testing purpose

A Test Item differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_case|Test Case]]:

  * A Test Item identifies an entity within the scope of the Test
  * A Test Case identifies the steps and [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:e:expected_result|Expected Results]] used to verify something

A Test Item differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_step|Test Step]]:

  * A Test Item identifies an entity within the scope of the Test
  * A Test Step identifies an action or validation performed as part of a Test Sequence

A Test Item differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_executable|Test Executable]]:

  * A Test Item identifies an entity within the scope of the Test
  * A Test Executable identifies low-level procedural or executable information used for automated Test Execution

A Test Item differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_result|Test Result]]:

  * A Test Item identifies an entity participating in or relevant to the Test
  * A Test Result records an outcome produced during Test Execution

A Test Item differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_run|Test Run]]:

  * A Test Item identifies an entity participating in or relevant to the Test
  * A Test Run records an identified Test Execution, its execution context, and its Test Results

The same entity can participate as a Test Item in multiple Tests. Each Test Definition identifies the role and applicable configuration of the Test Item for that Test.

===== Example =====

A [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:dido-te|DIDO-TE]] Test evaluates a changed DIDO Node within a five-Node Distributed System.

The Test Items include:

  * The changed [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:n:node|Node]] as part of the System Under Test
  * Four validated reference Nodes as other parts of the System Under Test
  * The [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:dido|DIDO]] whose state transitions the Test evaluates
  * A transaction generator as a supporting Test Item
  * A network-condition controller as a supporting Test Item
  * An [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:e:evidence|Evidence]] collector as a supporting Test Item

The [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_definition|Test Definition]] identifies each Test Item and its role.

The applicable [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_case|Test Case]], [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_sequence|Test Sequence]], [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_step|Test Steps]], and [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:e:expected_result|Expected Results]] specify how DIDO-TE evaluates the Test Items.

The resulting [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_run|Test Run]] and [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_result|Test Results]] preserve the Test Item identities, versions, configurations, and roles applicable to the execution.

----

<WRAP centeralign>
© 2026 Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.
</WRAP>