Creating Custom Datatypes?

[Kym]

I'm a newbie so I apologize if I've simply overlooked something. I'm using EA7.0 on a Windows platform. I'm simply trying to create some primitive datatypes in my UML2.x class model. While I can add UML2.x elements such as enumerations, etc., I cannot find the path to creating new datatypes. Through Settings->UML, I do see the UML Type 'datatype' (as well as 'enumeration' etc.) but unlike 'enumeration' I am unable to create an element of that UML type. What am I missing? Thanks

[Kym]

Anyone

[«Midnight»]

Are you talking about something like a MOF metamodel?

[Martin Terreni]

For lenguage datatypes it is in tools->lenguage datatypes.
For modeling I gues  you could just create an element with the required type/stereotype and use it (if you want to use for parameters and such).

[Kym]

For lenguage datatypes it is in tools->lenguage datatypes.
For modeling I gues  you could just create an element with the required type/stereotype and use it (if you want to use for parameters and such).

I'm not seeing this menu path available in EA 7.0 (Build 818 ). The closest I have found is Settings->UML which brings up a dialog titled 'UML Types'. This is where types such as 'enumeration' and even 'datatype' are listed. However, I cannot find any menu path allowing me to actually create a UML datatype element within a UML class diagram, like is available for defining enumerations. 2 days ago I sent en email into 'support' of which I have received no reply yet. Feeling a bit frustrated with EA customer support, yesterday I just went ahead and submitted an official bug report stating that there seems to be no way of accomplishing the creation of a new UML Datatype.

In essence, what I am trying to do is to define some primitive datatypes (i.e., triing, double, etc.) to use as types for various class attributes. However, I need these to be true UML datatypes in that the generated XMI represents the datatype element as xmi:type="uml: Datatype", just like it does for enumerations (i.e., xmi:type="uml:Enumeration").

Any help would be much appreciated as this issue is costing me several days. Thanks

[smendonc]

You can't modify the basic uml without creating a MOF metamodel (then it will be your own language).  You can however create classes that represent your primitive types and then use these classes as Types for attributes etc in other classes.  They will display in the Types drop down box when an Attribute for a class is created.

Stan.

[Kym]

You can't modify the basic uml without creating a MOF metamodel (then it will be your own language).  You can however create classes that represent your primitive types and then use these classes as Types for attributes etc in other classes.  They will display in the Types drop down box when an Attribute for a class is created.

Stan.

My intention is not to augment the UML metamodel but rather to add, and configure, a UML datatype element to my UML class diagram. This would be different than creating a class as the generated XMI would not describe it as having an xmi:type="uml: Datatype", similar to the XMI that is generated to represent enumerations, a kind of UML datatype (xmi:type="uml:Enumeration").

I'm currently dialoging with Sparx Support on this issue and I'll make sure to update this thread with the results. Being a progressive modeling tool (and I'd say platform as well), I'm sure that EA supports what I'm trying to accomplish. I just need some guidance in finding out how to go about it.