Create dependencies between elements instead of creating them graphically in the diagram.
Information About Dependencies
Definition
A dependency («depend» stereotype) is a relationship between two model elements and represents the fact that when a change is made in the required element (supplier), this will affect the dependent model (client). The dependency refers to the model elements themselves and not to any instances of these elements which may exist.
There is one decisive difference between dependency relationships and associations: instances cannot be created from dependency relationships. If two classes are linked with one association, two instances of these classes are also linked with one instance of the association, i.e. with an object relationship. There are no comparable consequences for dependency relationships as no instances can be created from them.
You can configure dependencies to specify them as abstractions, uses, realizations etc..
Notation
A dependency relationship is shown as a dashed line with an open arrowhead. The arrowhead points to the element required. The type of arrowhead depends on the dependency type.
Editing Dependencies
You can use special editors to easily edit dependencies between elements in your model in the Properties tool window.
Properties Tool Window
The Properties tool window is used to maintain the dependencies of a selected element independently of a diagram, if...
- The extended use on source side (or target side) property was configured with the as Property value (or as [type system] Option)
- The show at source element (or target element) property is activated
- The visibility of the property is activated
Generalizations and specializations can also be directly created in a classifier.
You primarily use the Properties tool window for the following tasks:
-
Identifying dependencies or generalization relationships of the selected element
-
Creating dependencies or generalization relationships of the selected element
-
Deleting existing dependencies or generalization relationships of the selected element from the model
Dependencies Tool Window
The Dependencies tool window is used to maintain the dependencies of a selected element independently of a diagram.
You primarily use the Dependencies tool window for the following tasks:
-
Identifying dependencies or generalization relationships of the selected element
-
Creating dependencies or generalization relationships of the selected element
-
Deleting existing dependencies or generalization relationships of the selected element from the model
Dependency Editor
The Dependency Editor is used for easily editing dependencies between various elements independently of a diagram. Dependency Editor can be used for determining dependent or required elements. You cannot change the viewing direction in the opened Dependency Editor.
You can open the Dependency Editor for determining the dependent or required elements and use it for the following tasks:
-
Quantitative identification of dependencies of a certain dependency type of the elements in the initial set.
-
Creating dependencies of a certain dependency type between multiple selected elements and a required or dependent element
-
Creating dependencies of a specific dependency type between diagrams
-
Deletion of selected dependencies of a certain dependency type from the model
Beamer Tool Window
The tool window supports the role-based, flexible and transparent mapping of elements and can be configured in many ways. Depending on the mapping theme, the beamer shows you precisely one specific dependency type between elements in the model structure tree display you are used to.
You primarily use the Beamer tool window for the following tasks:
- Easily creating a specific dependency type between individual elements using drag-and-drop
- Targeted individual mapping of single elements
- Selective mapping of subelements
- Displaying the context of a certain dependency type
- Deleting existing dependencies of a certain dependency type from the model
Displaying Dependencies
Dependencies can be displayed in various ways:
- Graphic display in the diagram
- Properties Tool Window
- Dependencies Tool Window
- Dependency Editor
- Beamer Tool Window
- Info Tool Window
- Details Tool Window (if configured)
Dependencies that you create outside of diagrams are not automatically visible in diagrams in which the linked elements occur. However, it is possible to show the dependencies you created in these diagrams (see "Showing and Hiding Relationships in the Diagram").
Related Topics
This chapter contains the topics:
