looping in sequence diagram?

[Duc-bert]

 

Hi,

in EA, how do I specify a loop in sequence diagram?

thanks

[gsparks]

Hi,

In the Sequence diagram toolbar there is an element called 'Iteration'. Drag one onto your diagram ... it is a modified boundary object and may have a looping condition set to indicate the exit condition for a repeated sequence. Enlarge the Iteration element to encompass the set of message which will execute during the loop cycly. To make things easier for you, Z-Order the Iteration to the base of the diagram - and using the context menu, make it non-selectable. Now you can work over the Iteration element without constantly picking it up by mistake.

Hope this is useful,
Geoff Sparks

[jaimeglz]

Probably the simplest way to loop in a sequence diagram is to check "Is Iteration" in Message Properties. (To get toMessage Properties, double-click on the message arrow).

The condition ("if xyz ...) can be specified in the Condition box text. You should create the Return message (that is, the message that closes the loop) by creating a new message below the one that has the condition, and then marking it as "Is Return" in Message Properties.

The iteration box which box which G Sparx mentioned can be very useful in case you want to encompass imbeded conditions (or embeded behaviour) in-between the message and its return, but it is not necessary if you have a simple loop.

Hope this is useful!