---
title: Step description generation script
description: In a step configuration record, the step description generation script field determines the step description that the system generates when a step of this type is added to a test.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/automated-test-framework-atf/atf-config-desc-script.html
release: australia
product: Automated Test Framework \(ATF\)
classification: automated-test-framework-atf
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Step configurations, Administration, Automated Test Framework \(ATF\) reference, Automated Test Framework \(ATF\), Testing and debugging applications, Building applications]
---

# Step description generation script

In a step configuration record, the step description generation script field determines the step description that the system generates when a step of this type is added to a test.

For an example showing how where the description generated by this script appears, see [Description generation script example](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/automated-test-framework-atf/atf-step-config-xmpls.md).

## Step

The **step** parameter to `generateDescription()` gives the script access to the step object, which it turn gives access to the input variables as defined in the step configuration record. \(Input variables are defined in a related list.\)

For example, if – in a step config record – the inputs related list contains two records: *var1* and *var2*, the script can reference *var1* with the expression `step.inputs.var1 and` can reference *var2* with `step.inputs.var2`.

## Record Query description generation script

```

    (function generateDescription(step) {
    var td = GlideTableDescriptor.get(step.inputs.table);
    if (!td) {
         gs.log("Invalid table name in test step: " + step.inputs.table);
         return gs.getMessage("Set field values");
    }
    var descriptionGenerator = new ATFStepDescriptionGenerator();
    var description = gs.getMessage("There should be at least one record in '{0}' matching " +
                      "a query of\n{1}",
                      [step.inputs.table.getDisplayValue(),
                      descriptionGenerator.getConditionDescription(step.inputs.table, step.inputs.field_values)]);
    
    return description;
    })(step);
   
```

**Parent Topic:**[Step configurations](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/automated-test-framework-atf/step-configurations-module.md)