Please note : This help page is not for the latest version of Enterprise Architect. The latest help can be found here.

General Properties of Attributes

This topic describes the fields and options of the General page of the Attributes dialog.

Reference

Field

Usage

See also

Name

Display the name of the attribute; for a new attribute, type the name (with no spaces).

 

 

Type

Display the attribute's type; if necessary, either:

•Click on the drop-down arrow and select a different type, or
•Click on the (  ...  ) button to open the Select <Item> dialog and select or define a different attribute classifier type that might not be in the Type drop-down list

 

The type can be defined by the code language (data type) or by a classifier element; when you click on the drop-down arrow, the first set of values in the list provides the data types, and the second (longer) set provides the possible classifiers.

To add new code language data types that can be displayed in this list, see the Data Types topic.

 

Data Types

Instance Classifier

Initial Value

Display an optional initial value; if necessary, type in or browse for a new initial value.

 

 

Stereotype

Define the optional stereotype of the attribute; if necessary, either:

•Type a different stereotype name
•Click on the drop-down arrow and select a stereotype, or
•Click on the (  ...  ) button and browse for the stereotype
 

 

Alias

Display an optional alias for the attribute; if necessary, type in a new alias.

 

 

Scope

Define the attribute as Public, Protected, Private or Package; if necessary, click on the drop-down arrow and select a different scope.

 

 

Static

Indicate that the attribute is a static member.

 

 

Const

Indicate that the attribute is a constant.

 

 

Is Literal

(For Enumeration elements) Defaults to selected, to define the attribute as an enumeration literal.

Deselect the checkbox to define the attribute as a normal element attribute.

In the Attributes compartment on the diagram, the enumeration literals are listed separately, above the normal attributes (ensure that the Stereotype field for the normal attribute is not set to enum).

 

 

Containment

Define the containment type (By Reference, By Value or Not Specified); if necessary, click on the drop-down arrow and select a different containment type.

 

 

Property

Indicate that the attribute has automatic property creation; when you select this checkbox, the Create Property Implementation dialog displays.

 

Create Properties

Notes

Enter any free text notes associated with the attribute; you can format the notes text using the Notes toolbar at the top of the field.

 

Notes Toolbar

Topics

Topic

Detail

See also

Usage

To change the position of a selected attribute in the list at the bottom of the dialog, click on the Scroll Up or Scroll Down (hand) buttons.

To review an existing attribute, click on the attribute name in the list.

You can re-organize and filter the information shown for each attribute, using the List Header facilities for reported information.

To delete an existing attribute, click on the attribute name in the list and click on the Delete button.

To create a new attribute, either:

•Click on the New button to clear the fields for new information, or
•Click on an existing attribute name in the list, and click on the Copy button; a prompt displays for you to enter the name of the copy

 

If you have changed the attribute details, click on the Save button to save the changes.

 

 

 

 

List Header

Notes

•By default, the attributes are listed in alphabetical order; before changing this sequence, you must deselect the Sort Features Alphabetically checkbox on the Objects page of the Options dialog (Tools | Options | Objects)