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Modeling
Modeling is the practice of constructing a graphical representation of something real for the purpose of studying, documenting, reasoning, testing or communicating it to others. The resulting models can be compared to machines that do work and often provide powerful insights into the way things in the real world are structured or behave. Enterprise Architect is typically used to model complex enterprise, business, engineering, real-time and software systems, and is a multi-disciplinary platform that facilitates teams of people working together to describe, visualize, construct and test complex systems through the use of modeling. Enterprise Architect's modeling platform is based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML), a standard that defines rules and notation for software-centric systems but that can be extended to allow any type of system to be modeled.
Modeling Features
Structural Components
Using Enterprise Architect, you can quickly build a model using a hierarchy of Packages to represent the structure and organization of the model.
Component |
Description |
See also |
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Models |
A model is the highest conceptual level, representing a distinct and complete representation of all or some part of a modeled system. A Project can contain multiple models. |
Building Models Model Domains Model Wizard |
Views |
Views are the second level within a model and define a specific viewpoint of the system being modeled - for example a Use Case view, a Requirements View or a Dynamic (behavioral) View. Views are simply Packages that have an additional conceptual meaning. |
Views Add Views |
Packages |
The basic containers that create the overall model structure. Packages hold other Packages, elements, diagrams and similar model constructs. |
Packages Open Package in the Browser window |
Diagrams |
Diagrams are visual representations of how model elements are connected or behaviorally related. They can also display the characteristics of an element, such as attributes, methods, notes and Tagged Values in a convenient visual style. |
Diagrams Diagram Toolbox The Quick Linker Diagram Context Menu Diagram Tabs Working In Diagrams Layout Diagrams |
Elements |
Elements are the basic building blocks of models. They represent both structural constructs such as Classes and Interfaces, as well as behavioral constructs such as Activities, Actions and States. |
Elements Element Context Menu Operations Visual Representation |
Connectors |
Connectors represent the various kinds of relationship between elements within a model - including behavioral relationships, associations, taxonomic relations and similar. |
Connectors Connector Management Options Connector Tasks Connector Properties |
Tagged Values |
Tagged Values are customizable, profile- or user-defined properties that are generally related to a Stereotype and define additional attributes and characteristics of an element. They are one of the fundamental means of extending UML into more domain-specific areas. |
Tagged Values Quick Start - Add Tagged Value To Elements Modify Tagged Values |
Notes |
Notes are the standard common language-based descriptions of what an element, diagram, feature or relationship is for and how it is used within the model. Notes are often used as a first step to eliciting the meaning and use of an element - which is later refined into something more concrete and precisely specified. |
Notes Notes Toolbar |
Reference Information |
A variety of basic types of information that is used across a particular model - for example, Stereotypes or Tagged Values. |
Reference Data UML Types |
Learn more
- For information on UML, see the Standard UML Models topic
- The Quick Start Tutorial topic briefly shows you how to create a diagram within a Package, containing elements and connectors
- Sparx Systems also provide a Demonstration of quickly developing a Use Case model (Online Resource)