New UML Profile support in EA

[sbaishya]

On a similar note to the constraints problem, tagged values don't seem to be imported for associations.

[sbaishya]

Continuing from the above, even if you add tagged values manually they do not appear on the diagram. The only thing I can get to appear on an association is the first constraint. This could be a problem since some profiles require the application of tagged values to associations, but currently these are not visible in the diagrams (and hence the exported documentation).

Also, I've noticed that tagged values on nodes appear in the format
{
Tagged value
}

rather than in a compartment, and they appear whether they have a value or not. Is this intentional, and if so could it be changed to a compartment or suppressed in some way? I thin it would be worth doing so there is a consistent approach across classes, components and nodes.

Thanks again,

Stephen

[gsparks]

Stephen,

EA keeps a list of stereotypes that you can edit in Reference/Stereotypes. This list should be unique on 'Applies To' and 'Stereotype'.  

When profiles are imported -EA checks if the stereotype already exists - if it doesnt it is added. Note that this check is not case sensitive ... so if you try to add <<table>> when <<Table>> already exists, it will not be imported.

When you delete a Profile, EA will delete the imported stereotypes - unless they are in use within the model. SO in your case I would suspect the images are still showing because the Stereotype was in use - and so not deleted.

You could track this down in the Reference/Stereotype dialog. Remove the profile, then make sure all stereotypes are deleted in the Reference/Stereotypes dialog, then import the profile again.

All the stereotype information - such as tagged values, constraints etc. is stored in XML with the original stereotype name - so the name collision does not impact this.

So the major issue is mainly case sensitivity. I had a quick look thru the code and I believe you could change the <<table>> stereotype in EA to <<Table>> OK. I think <<server>> will be a problem if you want the web modeling icon to still work.

I will think a bit more on how this might be handled.

Geoff Sparks

[sbaishya]

Ok...

Tried the stereotypes which used the metafiles in a new clean model, and the metafiles were still displayed. Seems like they are being persisted somewhere.

I'm not sure I like the idea of removing built in stereotypes, but I had a go anyway:

Removed my profile, and the <<table>> stereotype.

Imported my profile  - References/Stereotypes shows 'Table'

Dragged a table onto the diagram. The class was still displayed with no stereotype and the icon, rather than with the stereotype <<Table>> and no icon.

On looking at the properties, the stereotype was 'table', not 'Table'.

Works fine for server...

I'm not sure I like the idea of having to delete a load of built in stereotypes before importing a profile. Could EA highlight clashes via a dialog on import and give the option to overwrite individual or all clashes?

As ever, many thanks for your time.

Stephen