Can you convert a class to an interface?

[Andrew_F]

Hi,
I'm fairly new to EA (and UML), so probably something pretty obvious I'm missing, but can you convert a class element into an interface element? I tried stereotyping, with no luck.

Basically I have reverse engineered some classes from brought-in C++ code and the (logical) interfaces have been created as classes in the model (unsurprisingly).

Never thought this a problem until I tried to create composite classes and the ball and socket will only accept an interface element, not a class tagged as <<interface>>.

I'd appreciate any help on this,

Thanks,
Andrew

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Select the class, then Element|Advanced|Change Type...  Interface is on the drop-down list.

You may wonder, Andrew, why this functionality is NOT on the class' <context menu>...  Wecome to EA's UI - unique interface.

HTH,
Paolo

[Andrew_F]

That's the trick!

Thanks very much Paolo.

Best Regards,
Andrew

[sargasso]

  GRRRRRRRR

Paolo,

The amount of information lost in converting changing a classifier to an interface contract  ........


bruce

[Paolo F Cantoni]

GRRRRRRRR

Paolo,

The amount of information lost in converting changing a classifier to an interface contract  ........


bruce

Notwithstanding your excellent point (one shouldn't change a class to an interface willy nilly),
if EA got it wrong, it has to be corrected...  Typically, this is done really early in the process - so there's not much loss.

Paolo

[Andrew_F]

Notwithstanding your excellent point (one shouldn't change a class to an interface willy nilly),
 if EA got it wrong, it has to be corrected...  Typically, this is done really early in the process - so there's not much loss.

Paolo

Ok...and I will only ever reverse Engineer those Interfaces (source-> Model) when they change, as they are external code.
Fortunately a reverse engineer after they've changed to interfaces, leaves them as interfaces and imports any changes.