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

Operation Constraints

Constraints define the contractual behavior of an operation, what must be true before they are called (pre-conditions) and what is true after they are called (post-conditions). In this respect they are related to the State model of a Class and can also relate to the guard conditions that apply to a transition.You can define both pre- and post- conditions for an operation.

Access     In diagram or Project Browser:
 
Click on element | Element | Operations (F10) > Operations or
Right-click on element | Features & Properties | Operations > Operations

Define Constraints

The fields and options on the Pre and Post tabs of the dialog are identical. Click on the appropriate tab to define the conditions prior to and following on from the operation behavior.

Field/Option/Button

Action

See also

Pre-Condition:

Post-Condition:

 

Type in the name or effect of the condition.

 

Type

Click on the drop-down arrow and click on the appropriate condition type.

 

 

<notes>

Type in any further explanation or description that is necessary for the condition.

 

 

New

Click on this button to clear the fields to define another condition.

 

 

Save

Click on this button to save the new or updated condition and to add the changes to the Pre-Condition or Post-Condition list.

This button also clears the data fields so that you can create another condition.

 

 

Pre-Condition

Post-Condition

Lists the pre-conditions or post-conditions that have been defined for this operation.

Click on an item in this list to re-populate the dialog fields with the details, to edit or delete the condition.

 

 

Delete

Click on an item in the Pre-Condition or Post-Condition list and click on this button to delete that  condition from the operation.