Element - Diagram or Reference Edges

Edges are created or shown in the whiteboard diagram to show relationships between content of the diagrams shown.

Owner Hierarchy/Prerequisites

  • Elements involved in the diagram edge exist in various diagrams; these are shown as diagram nodes in the whiteboard diagram.
  • The relationship needs to be set as permissible in the configuration between elements and within the diagram.
  • Depending on the relationship's concrete element type further constraints may ensue.

Connection Frames in the Whiteboard Diagram

There are two types or edges in the whiteboard diagram.

Both edge types can be added to the diagram if the elements involved are shown in different diagrams.

  • Diagram Edges

    They represent an independent element that is linked with both linked elements (e.g. dependency between source and target element).

    The diagram edge can also sometimes be created directly in the diagram. To do this, the represented element must be permissible as diagram content in the configuration editor and the create template must be configured as the menu point.

  • Reference Edge

    It represents a property of the source element (e.g. attribute's type, data object's business object).

    Reference edges can only be added. To do this, the source element must contain a value for the property to be shown.

Edge Depiction

General

Diagram edges and reference edges are normally shown as a dashed line with an open arrow head pointing to the target side. Depending on the represented elements, diagram edges may deviate from standard display. Deviation occurs based on the usual display options in other diagram types.

Restriction

Color evaluation is only supported for diagram edges and not reference edges; this is why reference edges cannot be colored.

Exceptions

  • Realization and concept realization: closed arrow head

  • Structure definition and structure group: dotted line

  • Concept connection:

    • Line type, arrow type (source and/or target) and edge type can all be assigned, as is the case in the concept diagram
    • Edge type can be modified for diagram edges via the context menu.

Diagram Edges

Adding or Creating

You can differentiate between diagram edges which can only be added to the diagram or those that can also be created there.

Only directed relationships can be created in diagrams. The relationship also needs to be permissible as diagram content in the whiteboard diagram and then configured as a menu point.

Configuration as diagram content is not necessary (and sometimes also not possible) for any other element types.

Directed Relationships

The connection between source and target is show for all directed relationships.

  • Dependency

  • Abstraction

  • Realization

  • Use

  • Mapping Dependency

  • Concept Realization

  • Concept Connection*

  • Use Case Interaction Relationship

  • Business Object Assignment*

* Apart from these relationships, all others are specializations of dependencies

Data Structures

  • Structure Definition

  • Structure Group

    • The edges run from the definition/group to the linked classifier and represent the definition/group itself

Resources

Resources which were selected using the source's Resource Assignment property or edge's Referenced Resource property are linked as the edge's target.

  • Activity Resource

    • The edge runs from the activity (task) to the resource of the Resource Assignment property

  • Lane Resource

    • The edge runs from the lane to the resource assignment property's resource.

  • Process Resource

    • The edge runs from process to the resource assignment property's resource.

Process

  • Assignment to the called element

    • The edge runs from the task to the called element (this can only be a process as the global task does not exist in the diagram itself)

Reference Edges

Source and target nodes

Reference edges always show an element's property. The logical element of the source node and reference edge are the same. The value of the property is the same as the logical element of the target node.

General

  • Typed Element

    • Type

  • Visible Elements

    • Features Used

  • Requirement

    • Contact Partner

    • Stakeholders

UML 2

  • Activity

    • Activity Partition

      • Represented Element

    • Operation call

      • Called Operation

    • Behavior call

      • Called Behavior

    • Object Node

      • States

  • Interaction

    • Lifeline

      • Represented Element

  • Behaviors

    • Behaviors

      • Behavior Specific Classifier

      • Specification

  • Classifier

    • Instance Specification

      • Classifier

    • Reception

      • Received Signal

ER/DB

  • From Clause

    • Key Relationship

  • Key Relationship

    • From Clauses

    • Referenced Key

    • Foreign Key

  • Feature in Relationship Key

    • Referenced Key Feature

    • Referencing Feature

  • Feature

    • Key Feature

    • Index Feature

  • Feature in the Index

    • Features Used

  • Sequence Type

    • Foreign Key Type

  • Semantic Data Type

    • Sequences

  • Foreign Key Triggering Element

    • Foreign Key

  • Foreign Key

    • Relationship Element

  • SQL Object

    • SQL Object Used

    • SQL Object to be Used

BPMN 2

  • Terminological Attributing Element

    • Assigned Terms

  • Artifact

    • Represented Element

  • Item-Aware Element

    • Structure Definition

  • Process

    • Decision Used in the Process

  • Task

    • Service Operation

  • Participants

    • Partner Entity

    • Partner Role

    • Supported Interfaces

  • Callable Element

    • Service Interfaces

  • Element with Cost Center

    • Cost Center

DMN

  • Decision User

    • Decisions Used

  • Decision

    • Decider

    • Responsible for Decision

  • Decision Service

    • Encapsulated Decisions

    • Output Decisions

  • Decision Graphic Element

    • Variable Type