Tag magic

[dknox]

Hi,
As a matter of form I add the abstract tag to classes that are not interfaces but I intend to be abstract. The italics font, IMO, is not a sufficient flag for the eyes. Per the UML 1.4 spec the tag is stronger than the font.

I added an abstract tag to one of my classes and despite changing the diagram properties I couldn't get the tag to show up. I finally figured out that if I added a value to the tag it would appear in a compartment at the bottom of the class.

The UML 1.4 specification allows tags without values and assumes them to be boolean types with a default value of true. Perhaps the side-effect is an implementation detail?

The UML spec also says that class level property lists or tagged values should appear in the name compartment. Optional compartments are allowed for user-defined values, responsiblities, and constraints. Was the design decision to add the extra compartment made on an assumption that tagged values are user-defined values?

thanks,
-- dave

thanks,
-- dave

[gsparks]

Hi,

There is a setting in the View/options dialog on the Object page - bottom left "Highlight Abstract Elements". Check this and abstract classes will appear with the {abstract} tag in the class name compartment.

Geoff Sparks

[dknox]

Hi Geoff,
Thanks!  I was wondering what that meant.

--dave