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Relationship Table
An additional method for specifying the Quick Linker links between elements is using a relationship table, which you initially create as a CSV file using a spreadsheet application such as MicrosoftTM Excel. Having created and populated the file, you import it into a Document Artifact element in your profile.
This method results in behavior equivalent to using stereotyped relationship connectors between the described stereotypes in your profile.
In most circumstances we recommend using the original method of defining links in the Quick Linker Definition Format, or modeling relationships in a Metamodel View rather than using this Relationship Table method. However, this method is supported for the purpose of implementing complex relationship rules that don't necessarily correspond to a defined metamodel.
Format
The format for the relationship table is based on the format used in the ArchiMate specification, with the addition of two extra rows that map names to stereotypes. Set up the table according to these format guidelines:
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Connector Aliases |
The first row in the definition provides a list of single letter connector identifiers mapped to fully qualified connector stereotypes. For example: a=ArchiMate3::ArchiMate_Access;c=ArchiMate3::ArchiMate_Composition; That is, in the body of the file a indicates an ArchiMate 3 ArchiMate Access connector, and c indicates an ArchiMate 3 ArchiMate Composition connector. |
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Element Aliases |
The second row in the definition provides a list of identifiers mapped to fully qualified element stereotypes. For example: Assessment=ArchiMate3::ArchiMate_Assessment;Constraint=ArchiMate3::ArchiMate_Constraint; That is, in the body of the file 'Assessment' refers to an ArchiMate 3 ArchiMate Assessment element. |
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Source Elements |
The third row in the definition lists all of the possible source elements defined against the identifiers in the second row. These are the column headers in the table. For example: ,Assessment,Constraint, |
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Target Element |
The first column, from row four onwards, lists all of the possible target elements defined against the identifiers in the second row. These are the row headers in the table. |
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Link Definitions |
The cells at the intersections of rows and columns identify the connectors that are valid between the source and target elements, using the single letter identifiers defined on line 1. For example: scg n o, indicates that elements of the type in this column can be connected to elements of the type in this row by Specialization, Composition, Aggregation, Influence and Association connectors |
Add Relationship Table to Profile
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Discussion |
See also |
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1 |
Open the Profile child diagram containing the Stereotype elements for the Profile. |
Add Stereotypes and Metaclasses |
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2 |
Select the 'Documentation' page of the Diagram Toolbox (click on |
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3 |
Double-click on the element to open the Linked Document Editor; cancel the prompt for a template name. |
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4 |
Open your CSV file in a text editor such as Notepad, and copy and paste the contents into the Document Artifact element Linked Document. Save and close the document. |
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5 |
Continue working on the Profile until it is complete, and save it. The QuickLink definitions are saved with the Profile and are processed and applied when the Profile is imported (within its MDG Technology) into another model. A technology can contain a number of Profiles and therefore have a number of Quick Link definitions, one for each Profile. |
Quick Linker Definition Format Create Stereotype Profiles |
to display the 'Find Toolbox Item' dialog and specify 'Documentation'), and drag a Document Artifact element onto the diagram. Give this element the name 'relationship table'.