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

Create a Schema Profile

A schema profile identifies the name, basis and content of the schema as a precursor to defining how the schema is generated. You can create and edit as many schema profiles as you need.

Note that the process for defining schema profiles and generating schema for NIEM is fully documented in the MDG Technology for NIEM Help topic.

Access     Tools | Schema Composer

Create a Profile

Field/Option/Button

Action

See also

profile name

This field is initially blank. When you have created a schema, the name displays in this field.

 

 

New

Click on this button to start creating the schema profile.

The New Message dialog displays.

Field/Option/Button

Action

Name

Defaults to profile. Overtype with a suitable name for the schema.

 

Schema Set

Click on the drop-down arrow and select the standard that you have created your model for. If you have not adopted a standard, select the Generic option.

 

Namespace

If required, type in the Namespace root of your model or section of your model.

If you have selected the CIM option in the Schema Set field, the Namespace field takes an automatic value.

 

Save In

Click on the appropriate radio button for the format you want to save the schema in:

·File System - will save the schema definition in a system file
·Model Artifact  - will save the schema definition in a Model Artifact element; double clicking on the Artifact will open the Schema Composer to display this schema definition
 
This radio button enables the Package field; click on the PackBrowseIcon button to display the Navigator, and select the Package in which to create the Model Artifact element

 

OK

Click on this button to close the dialog.

 

 

Model Ref

Depending on the standard you have selected for the Schema Set, this field takes an automatic value or remains blank. If blank, you can type in a reference name if required.

 

 

<other options>

Depending on the standard you have selected for the Schema Set, other fields might display. Either leave blank, type in the appropriate value, or click on the browse button ( ... )  and select the appropriate library Package.

 

 

Update

Click on this button to save the schema details you have defined.

 

 

 

Define Schema Content

Step

Action

See also

1

Drag the required Class elements from the Project Browser into the Classes panel. As you add an element:

·Its model structure path is shown underneath the Classes panel
·Its attributes and Association connectors are listed in alphabetical order in the Attributes panel, with a blank check box against each one; the Association entries identify the connector name and target element name, but are treated as attributes
·The schema name is displayed in the Schema panel

 

If necessary, you can list the elements and attributes in reverse alphabetical order (and change the sequence back again) by clicking on the column title.

 

 

2

If a selected Class is in a Generalization relationship with another Class, and you want to include attributes that the selected Class inherits, select the Show Inheritance checkbox underneath the Attributes panel.

The inherited attributes are shown - also with checkboxes - at the end of the list in the Attributes panel.

 

 

3

Click on a Class in the Class list and, in the Attributes list, select the checkbox against each attribute and Association from that Class to include in the schema.

The element and its selected attributes and Associations are added to the Schema panel.

You can select all checkboxes for an element at once by clicking on the All button, and clear all selected checkboxes by clicking on the None button.

If you select the checkbox for an Association that links to an element you have not added to the Classes list, that element is automatically added and reported in the status panel in the top right of the screen.

 

 

4

In the Classes list, right-click on a Class and set element properties as required:

·Set element as root - make the selected element the root in the schema
·Edit root element cardinality - if you have selected Set element as root, the Restrictions dialog displays for the Class; set the minimum and maximum number of instances of the root element that can exist in the model (selecting the Unbounded checkbox sets the Maximum field to infinity)
·Remove root attribute from element - if you previously selected Set element as root, reset the selected element to 'normal', and not a root
·Remove the selected element - delete the selected element from the schema profile
·Find in Project Browser - locate and highlight the element in the Project Browser

 

You can double-click on the element to display its Properties dialog, where you can define a wider range of  element properties as necessary.

 

 

 

Cardinality

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Properties Dialog

5

In the Attributes list, right-click on a selected attribute or Association and select:

·Restrict this property - to display the Restrictions dialog to set the cardinality of the:
·Attribute, and simply set the default of 1:1 by clicking on the OK button, or
·Association, and type in the minimum and maximum number of instances of the target element that can exist in the model (selecting the Unbounded checkbox sets the Maximum field to * for infinity); select the By Reference checkbox to emit the property in the schema as an attribute naming the reference rather than a complex or simple type being emitted directly

 

·Edit Restriction - only effective for an Association; modify the values you have set for the restriction
·Remove Restriction - delete the restriction on the attribute or Association

 

The values you have set display after the attribute or Association name in the Schema panel.

You can double-click on the attribute or Association to display its Properties dialog, where you can define a wider range of properties as necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Create and Manage Attributes

 

6

Click on the Update button to validate and save your schema profile.

If there are any problems with the profile, they are identified in the status panel in the top right of the screen.

 

 

7

You can now go on to generate schema based on your profile.

 

 

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