Author Topic: directed verb phrase on associations  (Read 6582 times)

gkathan

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directed verb phrase on associations
« on: February 15, 2008, 11:54:25 pm »
hej,
is it possible (and if not this would be a feature request) to incorporate this "solid black filled triangle" (some UML books show this) to state the read direction of the name of an association ?

«Midnight»

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Re: directed verb phrase on associations
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2008, 07:00:42 am »
Hi again Gerold,

AFAIK this is not possible in EA, and I'm pretty sure I'm right on this.

I often think about this in passing, usually when I've read something in one of those "some UML books." Generally I forget about it and go on to something else.

I do think it would make a nice request.
See below

[EDIT: I am leaving the next part in. We need this for shape scripts.]
Please see my answer to you from earlier today for a best practice for submitting a feature request. We'll see if this makes the list.

David

[EDIT: Remember to request that the shape script language be updated to include this option.]
« Last Edit: February 17, 2008, 05:52:47 am by Midnight »
No, you can't have it!

thomaskilian

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Re: directed verb phrase on associations
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2008, 12:08:04 am »
AFA I K there is an option. Don't have my EA at hand now. Will look later...

Jan ´Bary´ Glas

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Re: directed verb phrase on associations
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2008, 04:11:40 am »
Yes it is sure there, we use it in domain models. As usual it is not so visible for use.
1. rightclick on any label on connector
2. choose Direction | To destination
Jan 'Bary' Glas

«Midnight»

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Re: directed verb phrase on associations
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2008, 05:55:11 am »
Thanks Jan Glas,

This is one of those things I've forgotten somehow - unfortunately not a small list - over the years.

Note that I've left my suggestion that we add this capability to shape scripts.

Gerold, did you include the script part in your feature request?

David
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gkathan

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Re: directed verb phrase on associations
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2008, 11:35:34 am »
hej,
honestly - now i am a little bit confused:
* as jan wrote - this capability is already inside EA - i tried it and - voila i can choose the direction of the label - and it also draws the expected "triangle" thing :-)
* so what do you guys now mean with this shape script ??
* and i am also not sure whether it should be possible to have 2 labels for both directions (i am neither sure whether this is uml compliant, nor whether i have seen something - but i feels somehow natural to have both directions annotated with the directions semantic)

oki
thänx

thomaskilian

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Re: directed verb phrase on associations
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2008, 12:53:28 pm »
Forget about shape script in the moment. Just use the soulution that works.

Shape scripts will help you later when you try to do much more complex things (you can define the shape of stereotyped elements and associations). Read the help if you like...

«Midnight»

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Re: directed verb phrase on associations
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2008, 12:53:29 pm »
Hi Gerold,

I'm pleased that this is now working for you.

Regarding your second and third bullets:

Shape scripts are in the user guide and help. They are an alternate means of drawing stereotyped elements and connectors. I'll make the feature request on this one.

When the phrase is bidirectional there are no arrows. The idea is that you don't care which way this is read. Unlike the connector itself there is no difference between this case and specifying no direction. [The situation with connectors can be subtly different, but that is unimportant in the context of this thread.]

HTH, David
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sargasso

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Re: directed verb phrase on associations
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2008, 03:31:03 pm »
Quote
and it also draws the expected "triangle" thing

AFAIK it's called a pennant.

However, this thread has caused me a fair deal of anxiety over the weekend.  I have searched many models for a case where I have put a "name" on an Association.  Couldn't find one.

Read the 8.1.2 super spec from end to end (yeah, I know "Get a life") and couldn't find anywhere that and association name directionality pennant was defined.  However, (further!) I do note that OMG quite casually uses them without defining them.  
???

BTW: I note that OMG is quite liberally using multiple insatnces of the same element in their superstructure diagrams.  (Hint Sparxians hint!).

bruce
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'Twere good you do so much for charity."

Oh I forgot, we aren't doing him are we.