Description

DescriptionAttribute is used to apply descriptive text to a test, test fixture, or assembly. The description appears in test output and XML result files, providing additional context about what a test does.

Constructor

DescriptionAttribute(string description)

Parameter	Type	Description
`description`	`string`	The descriptive text for the test or fixture.

Applies To

Test Methods	Test Fixtures (Classes)	Assembly
✅	✅	✅

Alternative Syntax

Description can also be specified as a named parameter on [TestFixture] or [Test] attributes:

[TestFixture(Description = "Tests for user authentication")]
[Test(Description = "Verifies login with valid credentials")]

Examples

Fixture Level

[TestFixture]
[Description("Tests for the shopping cart functionality")]
public class ShoppingCartTests
{
    [Test]
    public void AddItem_EmptyCart_ItemAdded()
    {
        Assert.Pass();
    }
}

Method Level

[TestFixture]
public class PaymentTests
{
    [Test]
    [Description("Verifies that valid credit card payments are processed successfully")]
    public void ProcessPayment_ValidCard_ReturnsSuccess()
    {
        Assert.Pass();
    }

    [Test]
    [Description("Ensures expired cards are rejected with appropriate error")]
    public void ProcessPayment_ExpiredCard_ReturnsError()
    {
        Assert.Pass();
    }
}

Using Named Parameter Syntax

[TestFixture(Description = "Integration tests for the user registration flow")]
public class UserRegistrationTests
{
    [Test(Description = "Tests complete registration with all required fields")]
    public void Register_AllFieldsValid_CreatesUser()
    {
        Assert.Pass();
    }
}

Notes

This attribute inherits from PropertyAttribute and sets the Description property.
Only one description can be applied per element (AllowMultiple = false).
If both the [Description] attribute and the Description property on [Test]/[TestFixture] are used, the [Description] attribute takes precedence.
Descriptions are useful for generating readable test reports and documentation.