Template Binding

Description

You create a Template Binding connector between a binding Class and a parameterized Class. You then define a binding expression on that connector. However, if the binding Class requires a Generalization, Realization or Association relationship with the parameterized Class, you can define the binding expression on that relationship instead.

You can create a Template Binding connector using:

• The 'Template Binding' icon on the 'Class Relationships' page of the Diagram Toolbox
• The Quick Linker arrow next to the source Class element
• The 'Templates' tab of the binding Class element 'Properties' dialog; here, you create the Template Binding relationship by clicking the Add button under the 'Binding(s)' panel, specifying the connector type, and selecting the target parameterized Class from the 'Select <Item>' dialog

Each of these methods creates the connector itself. For the first two methods you then double-click on the connector to display the connector 'Properties' dialog, on which you select the 'Binding' tab to define parameter substitutions as the binding expression. The third method takes you to this dialog and tab automatically.

Toolbox icon

Learn more

• Parameterized Class
• Parameter Substitution

OMG UML Specification:

The OMG UML specification (UML Superstructure Specification, v2.1.1, p.622) states:

A template is a parameterized element ... used to generate other model elements using TemplateBinding relationships. The template parameters for the template signature specify the formal parameters that will be substituted by actual parameters (or the default) in a binding.