How can I restrict tagged values?

[stevedarcy]

I am using v4.00.725.

I have been using EA to record the impact of a new piece of legislation on my organisation. The impacts are being recorded using objects, which have all be stereotyped as 'impacts'. All the impacts have a number of other properties (e.g. owner, date created, priority etc.) and we have been storing these as tags. It is these tags I am trying to control, but so far, to no avail.  

I have read the latest manual (http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/bin/EAUserGuide.pdf) and pages 99-109 seem to be describing what we want to do, but I cannot get the software to behave as described. I have added all the tags and used the syntax described on page 102 to restrict the values. However, when I create a new object, stereotype it as an impact and then select the relevant tag, the value field still allows me to enter any value I like and does not present me with the mask or list of options I have chosen.

Help. Before I stick my fist through the screen.

[thomaskilian]

I'm using tags quite extensively. Can you give an example of what you are doing (step by step)?

[sargasso]

725 seems a kind of an old build for what you are trying.
bruce

[stevedarcy]

thomaskilian / sargasso - thanks for your responses. In answer to your requests:

725 being an old build - yes, agreed. We have rather a convaluted process for adding software onto the network where I work, so we only tend to get upgrades when things go out of support, rather than being on he front foot. For the purposes of this thread, I think it is safe to assume that we'll be stuck with that build for the forseeable future.

Step-By-Step explanation of what I am doing - sure. Here goes.

1. I have set up a new stereotype (in the configuration menu - Configuration->UML->Stereotypes) of 'impact' for the object element. We have applied this to all the items we want to tag.

2. I have then set up the tags I want to use (again using the configuration menu - Configuration->UML->Tagged Values) and in the notes field below the title and description, I have used the syntax I found on page 102 of the manual (e.g. for a list of values, I have used the Type=Enum; Values=Val1,Val2,Val3;Default=Val2;).

3. I then create a new instance of the 'object' element, stereotype it as an 'impact' and then navigate to the tags field on the properties tab to start adding my tags. The tag names I have created are all visible in the top dropdown (entitled 'tag'), but the dropdown entitled 'value' below remains blank and does not appear to bear any relation to the restrictions I have placed in the tag notes.

Can you see where I am going wrong thomaskilian?

[thomaskilian]

It looks as if you mix up defining a profile and setting up tags. To set up a profile you need a later release (try a test installation of the latest release). If you're setting up simple tags (no idea whether this will work in you old build since there have been many recent changes!), you should use Config/UML/Tagged Values. Having defined them, you should be able to assign them to any element. Specific tags let you use drop down, date (there's an open issue with not saving the date) or predefined lists. My best recommendation would anyway be to use the latest build.

(Having overlooked you're stuck with 425 - it's unlikely you will receive much support for that build )

[Eve]

I just had a look, the earliest version to support the tagged values that you're trying to use is build 738.  If this is something you really need then it's probably worth going through that "convoluted process" to upgrade to the newest version.

Simon