Messages

1

Bugs and Issues / Re: EA stopped working

« on: June 08, 2021, 01:41:39 am »

Using a native Windoze machine is (currently) not an option for me :-/ I also use wine for testing but found it more awkward than the Windoze box on Parallels. Finally it's all a matter of taste, I guess.

q.

Hi Qwerty - You may not be the only "unicorn".... I run Sparx EA 15.2 under Parallels on a Mac (Big Sur).  I have not encountered the problem you have described.

Regards,
Perry

2

Bugs and Issues / Re: Diagram Format Changes after Export-Import

« on: April 15, 2021, 12:23:57 am »

Thanks to all for the responses so far.

To clarify my example, I mean that a diagram I have formatted in my local repository will change in appearance after simply being imported back into the central repository.

For example, elements that are perfectly aligned and spaced evenly in my local repository, will become slightly overlapped and out of alignment once imported back into the central repository.
Also, straight lines and 90 degree corners will often change to being angled.

Note - The exact same computer is used for exporting, importing and viewing the diagrams in both repositories.

Thanks,
Perry

3

Bugs and Issues / Diagram Format Changes after Export-Import

« on: April 14, 2021, 06:28:40 am »

Does anyone have any advice regarding keeping diagram changes consistent when exporting and importing packages?

The team I am working with uses a centralized SQL Server based repository.

We export packages out of the primary repository and work on them locally...using the default *.eap files.
When our changes are ready, we import the packages back into the central repository again.
We have noticed the appearance of our diagrams change when they are imported back in. 
For example lines and diagram elements get moved slightly and become misaligned.

We are experiencing this behaviour regardless of whether the export/import is done using "native" or XMI format.

Thanks!

4

Bugs and Issues / Re: Issue with upgrading DBMS (PostgreSQL) schema for Enterprise Architect repo

« on: March 05, 2021, 02:39:17 am »

If you use the model "Chat" features, you will find the notes are stored in the t_files table.

This is the case using Sparx EA version 15.2 at least...

Regards,
Perry

5

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: Scripting version control

« on: January 05, 2021, 03:31:00 am »

Happy New Year Geert.

A new year and a new version of your toolkit too... 2021 is looking better already.

After a quick test I also noticed the EA Mapper description box is now larger too.

(...clicking "helpful"...)

Thanks!
Perry

6

Uml Process / Re: How to add units of measure to attributes in UML

« on: December 23, 2020, 01:51:01 am »

Just to add yet another option to the suggestions so far...

You could use a basic numeric datatype for the measurements and define an additional attribute to identify the unit of measure used.

This approach is followed with the PPDM data model.

Hope this helps.
Perry

7

Bugs and Issues / Re: DDL Transformation Column Duplication

« on: November 03, 2020, 03:42:03 am »

Thanks for your reply Paolo.

After a fresh look at the documentation I did not find the enlightenment I was seeking.

I forgot to mention in my original post that I am running these tests on Sparx EA 15.1 build 1529.

Do you or does anyone else recall if this worked correctly in a previous version of EA?

I'm thinking of re-installing version 14 and recovering the DDL transformation template from it to try in 15.1.

Regards,
Perry

8

Bugs and Issues / DDL Transformation Column Duplication

« on: October 31, 2020, 02:29:39 am »

I have a question regarding the built-in DDL transformation template.

The simple scenario...

Imagine you have a simple logical data model with two tables... The first table is named "Parent" and the second table is named "Child".
The "Parent" table has  a column named ParentID which is defined as the primary key identifier.
The "Child" table has a column named "ChildID" which is defined as the primary key identifier.  The "Child" table has an additional column named "ParentID" which is defined as a foreign key to the "Parent" table.

For clarification - The relationships are defined in the logical model including the primary and foreign key columns.

The elements described above have been modeled using the stereotype of "table" and have their target DBMS set to "SQL Server 2012".
The relationship from "Child" to "Parent" is mandatory...In other words, the "Parent" is mandatory if you wish to store a row in "Child".

The 2 problems I'm experiencing are...
1. After performing the DDL transformation, Sparx EA creates new columns in the physical model for the primary and foreign key columns rather than using the columns already defined in the logical model.
2. Sparx EA transforms the foreign key column in the "Child" table as optional, even when it is defined as mandatory in the logical model.

I know that the DDL transformation is designed to create columns for the primary and foreign keys from logical models, but it should be capable of using existing columns when they have already been defined.

I'm quite certain this worked properly in earlier versions of Sparx EA.

Thanks!

9

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: How to transform a logical data model to a physical one

« on: October 22, 2020, 02:53:26 am »

I agree the transformation process is challenging to figure out...and it varies across versions of EA.   I have been down that very same path.  Once you find your way through the EA interface and the related documentation it gets easier.

There are actually two transformations (I'm currently referencing EA version 15.1) that are very similar: "DDL" and "Tables".
Currently the only difference between these two transformations appears to be that the DDL template has code to deal with foreign keys.

To see the low level details of what occurs when you perform a transformation, you can reference the transformation code...this is located in a transformation template.

Go to the "Design" tab, "Tools", "Transform" and select "Transform Templates".

Now select the "DDL" option on the "Language" drop-down.
This will show you the actual transformation code.

You can also use this feature to modify/create customized transformations.

Here is a link to the current documentation:
https://www.sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/15.2/model_domains/transformationtemplates.html

Regards,
Perry

10

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: How to distinguish between Aggregation and Composition?

« on: October 10, 2020, 01:08:50 am »

In the repository see table t_connector.
The indication of a connector being "aggregate" is shown with a value of 1 in column "DestIsAggregate"...
If it has a value of 2 it is composite.

Hope this helps.
Perry

11

General Board / Re: Compare database

« on: October 08, 2020, 06:17:40 am »

Not sure if Properties should be "Manage DBMS Options". I read about the Compare with options function, but I cant find it.

The Properties option is different from "Manage DBMS Options".  You will only see the "Manage DBMS Options" if you have the correct object type selected on the list.  For example, it should have a stereotype of "Database".
(By way, I'm currently running Sparx EA version 15.1 build 1529.)

The table owner and schema are important to set correctly for the comparison process to be able to match the tables.

Note, in the comparison results you can also tell EA to match tables.
You may find more information on this here: (This references the version 15.2 documentation)
https://www.sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/15.2/model_domains/import_schema_into_builder.html

Perry

12

General Board / Re: Compare database

« on: October 08, 2020, 01:02:42 am »

Hi - Welcome to the forum.

You need to work in the “Database Builder” feature of Sparx EA. 

This can be found on the "Develop" tab.  (This will not work directly from the “Browser”) - Select the package having the “Database” as it’s stereotype.  Use mouse button 2 and select “Manage DBMS Options”.  The dialog will enable you to change the table(s) owner or even change the selected DBMS type.  From the database builder you can then perform the "database compare" or "compare with options".

Note regarding terminology - the "dbo" in SQL Server is a the database owner.

Hope this helps.

13

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: Ordering the display of attributes

« on: August 22, 2020, 03:25:05 am »

Also, you can set your preferences for this.

Go to "Start".."Preferences"..
Then on the Preferences dialog, select "Objects".

Then on the right you should find a checkbox labeled "Sort features alphabetically".

Perry

14

General Board / Re: Removing Data Flow Diagram Link

« on: July 31, 2020, 12:27:04 am »

Thanks KP.

I searched through the help, documentation, forum... and could not find this anywhere.

Perry

15

General Board / Removing Data Flow Diagram Link

« on: July 30, 2020, 04:41:51 am »

I'm working with a Data Flow Diagram (DFD) that has a link to a lower level diagram.

I can't find any way of removing the link.

Any suggestions?

Thanks