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

Define a Stereotype as a Metatype

The _metatype attribute is applied to a stereotype element. This is used where users want to hide the identity of an element as a stereotyped UML element. It is also a method of getting custom types to appear in contexts where only Enterprise Architect's inbuilt types would normally appear; for example in the lists of element types in the Relationship Matrix.

The Strict UML Syntax check is not performed for stereotyped elements that have had the _metatype attribute set.

In the following example from SysML, block is defined as a stereotype that extends a UML Class.

StereotypeWithMetatype

However, a SysML user isn't interested in UML Classes, only in SysML Blocks. An element created from a stereotype defined this way, while behaving like a stereotyped Class in most contexts:

  • Shows Block Properties rather than Class Properties as the title of its Properties dialog
  • Is auto-numbered as Block1 not Class1 on creation, and
  • Appears as Block not Class in many other contexts throughout Enterprise Architect

Learn more:

  • Diagram (Strict UML Syntax Check)