Sequence diagrams - focus of controls??

[Steve]

Hi,

I'm new to UML so please bear with my question.

I am wondering if it is possible to control the specific size of the focus of control (think rectangles?) on the sequence diagram.  

I understand that they represent the period of time during which an object is active.  Is this possible?  This is not a drop dead requirement for us, but it would be nice.

Thanks,

Steve Chambers.

[gsparks]

Hi Steve,

You cannot modify the length of the focus of control directly - however you have some control (you need build 443 by the way for all this to work as I describe)

1. There is a local setting on the Seqeunce diagram options page to 'Assume Returns'. If this is checked, then when an object receives consecutive messages without an explicit return, EA will truncate the focus of control prior to the second received message. If you disable this then no such 'truncation' occurs, resulting in an extended focus of control rectangle.

2. EA will always end the focus of control when it meets a 'Return Message' or the end of the object's lifetime.

So, by setting the option as desired, and using 'Return Messages' where appropriate, you can vary the focus of control rectangle to a reasonable degree already.

Hope this is of some help --- Im not sure Ive been really clear though,

Geoff Sparks

[ronnie]

I have a similar question.

I have been working through a book and it has an example of a sequence diagram where a call is made and the caller 'suspends' until the called function returns. During this 'suspended' portion the rectangle is broken.

Can't seem to reproduce this in EA. Funnily, can't find an example in the UML standard either, so maybe the book is wrong!