TTCN-3
TTCN-3 has retained and improved much of the well-proven testing-specific capabilities of earlier versions. With its new syntax, TTCN-3 has the look and feel of a modern programming language. This general purpose, flexible and user friendly test language is easy to learn, use and implement with.
The TTCN-3 standard includes several presentation formats:
a text-based Core Language (
ES 201 873-1) for use in a conventional programming environment which serves as the basis for all formats
a tabular format (
ES 201 873-2) for users familiar with older versions of TTCN
a graphical format (
ES 201 873-3) expressing tests in an intuitive and easily readable form.
There are also hooks in the language that facilitate the development of proprietary, non-standardized presentation formats if required.
The TTCN-3 website gives further information on TTCN-3, including background, tutorials, pointers to tools, the mailing list and upcoming TTCN-3 related events.
Advantages of TTCN-3
TTCN-3 is easy to learn as it has the look and feel of a regular programming language and tutorials, courses, and other publications are available.
TTCN-3 is different from conventional programming or scripting languages as it has been specifically designed for testing, it is internationally standardized and off-the-shelf tools and test systems are readily available.
It is a flexible testing technology as the language is completely independent of the implementation technology or operating system of the System Under Test.
There are virtually no limits to adapt tests or a test system to the needs: it is scalable, test components can be used both to test or emulate interfaces, it is extensible and has multiple presentation formats.
It can be used in many types of testing including valid, invalid, inopportune testing; software module, unit, layer, protocol, integration, laboratory testing; functional, load, distributed testing and regression, certification, approval testing.
TTCN-3 has passed the test of time: the first standards were published in 2000, their concepts were based on TTCN-2, which had been applied in commercial testing for over a decade, it has since been used successfully in the certification of new technologies.
TTCN-3 application areas
Typical areas of application for TTCN-3 are protocols, services, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), and software modules. However it is not restricted to conformance testing and can be used in areas such as:
Interoperability testing
Robustness testing
Performance testing
Regression testing
System testing
Integration testing.