EA Development environment for Macro customization

[Ramesh T R]

Dear Team,

We are planning to customize Transformation and Code generation macros in Sparx System's Enterprise Architect. Our license details are as follows:
Ultimate Edition Version "9.0.906 (Build: 906) - Unicode".
Registration - Shared Key (allows 5 concurrent users)
Database version: 7.0 (Jan-31-2004)

As we do not want to disturb main/live macro, we wanted to know whether EA will support multiple databases. If this is feasible, we can connect same EA to additional database where we can maintain our test customized macros. Once we confirm it to be working, we will import into main/live database. Is there any such facility in EA? If not so, can you suggest best way of maintaining our test macros and live macros with our current EA license?

Please also suggest better alternatives

With regards,
Ramesh

[g.makulik]

Depends a bit on the task.
You could use a template project, customize the transformation and code generation templates and import/export the customized templates using 'Project->Model Import/Export->I/E Reference Data.

I don't get exactly what you mean with 'As we do not want to disturb main/live macro'. If you want to have deviations from the default templates you also could provide a profile with appropriate stereotypes to customize certain transformation / code generation behavior. Getting the defaults back for a project is always possible.

HTH
Günther

[Ramesh T R]

Hi Günther,

Let me explain in detail.

Yes, we did the same as you mentioned. We are designing all our classes using Platform Independent Model. We have took a copy of built-in "C#" Model Transformation macro templates and created our own, say "Custom C#" model transformation macros. We use "Custom C#" model transformation macro to convert our Platform Independent Model design to C# equivalent model from where we generate C# code. Our development team are actively using this macro for the same.

Now we have identified few bugs/enhancements in the macros. If we have to fix it on "Custom C#" macros directly, it will affect all developers using them in parallel. This is why we dont want to disturb the existing one but we want to have separate environment to do the same so that we can ensure even mistakenly, we dont disturb the live setup which is being used by other developers.

This is why i wanted to check whether I can connect with additional test EA database where I will maintain the same "Custom C#" macros for bug fixing and testing. Once they are confirmed to work fine, I will import them to the live EA database. Is it possible? or do you have any other alternate idea?

[g.makulik]

Hi,

I have no experience with the behavior of importing/exporting reference data using DBMS based EA models.
You could still get a copy of the model (and reference data) as a .eap file, for development and maintenance of the various CTF templates, couldn't you?

Best regards,
Günther

[qwerty]

Using ex-/import reference data is probably the way to go. You can play around with a copy of the production and when done transfer your code templates via reference data.

q.

[Ramesh T R]

I agree with your solution. There is a risk associated with this. I am editing my own copy of template but in a live environment which I dont like. This is why I asked whether EA will support multiple database where I will have a copy of the template in test database and hence I can meddle with any models and macros at my ease without having a fear that I will accedentally disturb the live models/macros.

Is there any solution so that with same EA license I will have my own additional test environment which will guarantee that live mdeols/macros are not affected? Or should we really buy one more license. If so, what is the least cost license that would provide modeling, transformation and code generation features (with import export of the templates)? Assume that at-least 3 concurrent users will be editing these templates in same server or 3 users will have their own instance running in their local PC.

[qwerty]

You can use your license to have as many repositories as you like. The license is user based.

q.

[Ramesh T R]

Hi Qwerty thanks..I think this will help