Block Definition Diagram

Definition

The block definition diagram is a structure diagram. The display typically comprises blocks with their interfaces and/or ports. It also shows how blocks are linked with each other using dependency relationships. A block definition diagram often shows notation elements shown within the internal block diagram for displaying within a block.

The block definition diagram is primarily used for modeling component-based software systems in software development.

The block definition diagram icon shows a diagram with a block.

Use

A block definition diagram supports the modeler when graphically showing the rough structure of the systems and services that are provided or used by sub components via interfaces.

Blocks and their relationships to each other are modeled for various different purposes.

• Customers can identify what the structure of the completed system will look like at an early stage.
• A structure is set by the system's developers.
• Authors of the documentation and help are given an idea of what to write about.
• Reusability is facilitated by encapsulation of internal details.

Package diagrams offer a greater degree of freedom in structuring the system since packages do not explicitly need to correspond to a system block.

Elements in Block Definition Diagrams

Nodes

The following model elements can be shown as nodes in the block definition diagram:

Table: Node Types

Icon	Element	Brief Description
	Block	Clocks are modular parts of a system that are structured so that they could be replaced in their environment by another, equivalent block. A block separates its inner structure from the outside as a module and instead provides a set of interfaces or ports that exist or are required.
	Interface	An interface declares a list of attributes, operations and signal receivers with public visibility. If a classifier provides an interface, this ensures that it realizes all of the interface's operations and implements all attributes in a suitable way. A classifier which needs an interface expects a second classifier that realizes the interface to provide operations and attributes suitable for use.
	Class	A class contains the description and structure of objects which can be created using it (templates for objects). A class is defined by its attributes and operations. If you drag the class to an existing class, the newly-created class becomes the inner class of the existing class.
	Artifact	Artifacts show a physical information entity, e.g. models, source code, scripts or documents which are created or required in the development process or runtime of your system.

Edges

Edges in block definition diagrams represent interfaces or show dependencies between the diagram's nodes.

Table: Edge Types

Icon	Element	Brief Description
	Provided Interface	A provided interface is an interface that realizes, and therefore offers, a classifier.
	Required Interface	A required interface is an interface that a classifier requires so it can function.
	Use	A use is a dependency relationship that shows that the element uses the linked element.
	Abstraction	An abstraction is a directed relationship that demonstrates that the element shows an abstraction of the linked element.
	Realization	A realization is a directed relationship that demonstrates that the element shows a realization of the linked element.
	Public Element Import	The public element import is a directed relationship to an imported element; this can then be transitively imported by other namespaces.
	Private Element Import	The private element import is a directed relationship to an imported element; this can then not be indirectly imported by other namespaces.
	Block Realization	A block realization is a dependency relationship that shows that the classifier realizes part of the linked components.
	Interface Realization	An interface realization is a dependency relationship that sets that the classifier realizes the behavior specified in the linked interface.
	Create Default	A create default is a special dependency relationship that indicates that newly-created elements are created in the target container.
	Association Edge	Adds an existing association edge to an element.
	Socket/Ball Edge	Adds an existing socket/ball edge to an element.

Further Information

http://www.sysml.org/