Using Synchronous Elements

The same technical element may exist in various method contexts but with a different stereotype. You can automatically synchronize properties which have the same values in the contexts. Synchronization profiles are used for this; these define synchronous properties for the synchronous elements for certain stereotypes from various contexts.

Why Use Synchronous Elements?

A single technical element can exist in various method contexts and each of these elements can have different stereotypes and have both the same (e.g. technical name) and differing properties (e.g. owner).

You can automatically synchronize properties of these elements which have the same property values in the different the contexts. Synchronization profiles are used for this; these define synchronous properties for the certain stereotypes from various contexts.

The element then contains a specification of the special element type with a synchronized stereotype for each respective context. The properties defined as synchronous are then either automatically synchronized as redundant or are displayed as non-redundant (even for all synchronous elements).

Configuring Synchronous Elements

Special synchronization profiles define synchronous properties for certain stereotypes from various contexts.

Stereotypes are merged into one synchronization set in synchronization profiles. Which properties are synchronized as redundant for synchronization sets and which sets are shown as non-redundant, also for synchronous elements.

Maintaining Synchronous Elements

Elements with stereotypes of a synchronization set are automatically created and deleted together.

It is also possible to manually mark elements as synchronous if, e.g. they are from different sources where a synchronization is not configured or if the synchronization set is configured at a later stage.

Properties in a synchronization set defined as synchronous are automatically synchronized when changes are made to the elements they are based on.

Alternative Creation of Synchronous Elements

How to Proceed with Fully Synchronous Elements

The respective synchronous element should always exist for all stereotypes of a synchronization set for each model element.

The synchronization set is configured with create templates for the stereotypes.

This means that when such elements are created, then all synchronous elements are automatically created too.
How to Proceed with Optional Use of Synchronous Elements

Synchronous elements are first created for model elements by the user when they are required in the model with the respective context.

The synchronization set is configured without create templates for the stereotypes.

Once an element has been created, then the user needs to link it with the partner element using the Synchronous Elements property.

Changing Synchronous Element Properties

Properties which were selected in the synchronization set have the same value for all synchronous elements when changes are made to a synchronous element.

It is irrelevant for the modeler as to whether this property is internally synchronized and saved as redundant or whether it is saved only for one element and only displayed for all other synchronous elements.

All properties saved as non-redundant can be modified, except texts; these must be modified for each synchronous elements. These texts are opened in the specification editor but you are only able to change the text for the element where the text was originally changed. The text is opened as read-only for the other synchronous elements.

Deleting Synchronous Elements

Attention

If a synchronous element is deleted, then all of its synchronous elements in other model contexts are also deleted.

If you do not wish this to happen, then you need to cancel the synchronization via the Synchronous Elements property.

Repairing Synchronous Property Values

Synchronous element values can differ due to various reasons, e.g. configuration, merges from other models or API functionalities which have been carried out at a later stage and where the synchronization was not taken into consideration. You can also set this with the VFY566 verify option.

The values of the synchronous partner elements are customized to suit the values of the selected element using the Synchronize context menu command in the model editor.

Verify Options for Synchronous Elements

"The element has unexpected synchronous elements. [VFY565]"

Message appears for elements with synchronous elements if the stereotype is not contained in a configured synchronization set.
"The element is missing synchronous elements. [VFY564]"

Message appears if elements which have a missing synchronous element for a stereotype which is contained in the configured synchronization set.
"The element has unexpected synchronous elements. [VFY566]"

Message appears for elements with redundant property values which are not correctly synchronous.