Multiple dialogs & copy/move operations/

[d_p_robinson]

I would like to be able to duplicate operations, for example copy an operation from one class to another. One scenario for this is to derive an interface class from an existing class. In this scenario I would create a new Interface class and copy existing methods from a class that would inherit the interface and make them pure virtual.

I can move operations between classes using the project browser but not copy them. I suppose I implement this scenario by moving the desired operations from existing to interface class and then use the implement interface operations but this all seems a bit long-winded.

In Rose   I can do things like have two properties dialogs open at once and either copy, move or cut/copy & paste operations and attributes between classes.

[thomaskilian]

You can duplication ops/attrs by dragging from the project browser over the class icon on a diagram (welcome to EA's UI).

[ocroquette]

You can duplication ops/attrs by dragging from the project browser over the class icon on a diagram (welcome to EA's UI).

I wouldn't have found that one on my own. Thanks Thomas.

+1 to have a more intuitive way to do that (ie. copy/paste).

[RoyC]

This is documented in the EA Help, and indexed under "Copy    Operations Between Elements" and "Operation   Copy Between Elements" (and the Attribute equivalents). See the link below:

http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?copyingattributes.htm

The next topic in the sequence tells you how to move attributes and operations between elements too.

EA Help is big (though we are trying to reduce the volume by separating out the extension material into the SDK) but we do have an index and a search facility on the Help incorporated into the product. So, in the interests of making information easier to find:

1)  What Help vehicle were you using? - In-product, PDF, or website?

2) How do you (all of you out there) locate information in the Help? Contents list, search, index, reliance on context-sensitive Help through the Help buttons?

3) How well does your method of access to Help work for you?

I am working on the index to improve it. I hope the entries are already becoming clearer and easier to identify, although it will still be a while before I get through everything. Any comments (negative or otherwise) would be very helpful.

Roy

[thomaskilian]

Welcom, RoyC. Search the forum for CCC or read Paolos (initial) posts. I (and I guess most other EA user) do not read manual We use any software intuitively. Once you get the intuition you are even able to use Microsoftware, and EA.

EA IS a great software. It could be even greater, were it only consistent and (completely) intuitive.

[Jan ´Bary´ Glas]

Hi RoyC,
the EAHelp is very friendly in comparison with other tools I had used.
The question is not how to find an answer, but how to find the right question. In EA (and it's UI) there are many of nice features we do not know about. Things working not the way I would expect. Helpful features that I don't even know they exist.
Some hard-paid examples: Link element feature to Note, Shallow copying, Direction arrows on association labels, Red-triangle bookmarks

I am thinking of context tips or at least bestpractices pane. (Both optional and set default off.)

Votes, thoughts?

[RoyC]

Thanks for the comments, Jan.

'Nice features' - for experienced EA users the Sparx Announcements section of the forum, or the Release History area on the website might identify everything that the latest release of EA can do, but either one would be very tedious for new EA users to scroll through. We will think more about that.

Best Practice and context appropriate information - how useful to you is the new Tasks Pane in that respect? (View | Tasks Pane, and select an area of interest in the More Tasks menu.)

We will look at the topics you mentioned, aS examples, and see how they might come to the surface.

Best Regards

Roy

[Jan ´Bary´ Glas]

I like that something is on the move. As an experienced user I do not have use for the basic (for me) general concepts. Context sensitive tips, hints and best practices are  another level of information support.
Anyway, thank you for your reply. It is nice to read that someone will look at it.
Thank you,