"The requested connection is not UML compliant" - on a note link?

[Ian Mitchell]

I'm annotating a UI model (using the Win32 User Interface style) and I want to add a note to a GUI Element.
And EA says "The requested connection is not UML compliant"  - but this is just a note, and I thought notes could attach to anything? I'm amazed the UML has anything to say about this.
Is this right? I'm not allowed to connect a note to ANY GUI element?
It also doesn't work when choosing the 'Note link' option from the 'Common Relationships' toolbox: in this case, it just doesn't create the link - no error.
Did I just pick a bad type of model to use this on? It also doesn't seem to like notes on Wireframe style diagrams.
I'm (fairly) sure that we used to be able to attach notes to anything? At least, that's what I've been teaching for the last 10 years...
 
Also, when I try to connect a note to a different kind of element (say, a Requirement) then I get TWO 'link' options in the Quick Linker popup - this is just a bug, but at least it works.


This is EA 15.1, with all addins switched off.

[qwerty]

On p. 45 of UML 2.5

7.8.2 Comment [Class]
A Comment is a textual annotation that can be attached to a set of Elements.

...


7.8.2.5 Association Ends
annotatedElement : Element [0..*] (opposite A_annotatedElement_comment::comment) References the Element(s) being commented.

It just seems that you can't connect a note to a connector (like EA allows to do). But any element is allowed.

You can turn off this EA message in the Connector settings "strict syntax".

q.

[Ian Mitchell]

...but I don't want to link the note to a connector - just an element.
So where do I tell EA to 'just do what I tell you.."

[qwerty]

Look here.

q.

[Eve]

It just seems that you can't connect a note to a connector (like EA allows to do). But any element is allowed.

Element is the superclass of everything in UML. You can certainly connect to any UML connector. The validity of non-UML things like GUI element or ArchiMate elements is debatable. But in this case it was an oversight and will be corrected.

So where do I tell EA to 'just do what I tell you.."

In the case of allowing you to add any connector between any two things, by disabling strict connector syntax like qwerty said.

[Ian Mitchell]

Thanks Q and Eve.
For completeness, the solution is to un-check the 'Strict connector syntax' on Start / Preferences / Preferences / Links /General.
Every day's a school day...

[Geert Bellekens]

Thanks Q and Eve.
For completeness, the solution is to un-check the 'Strict connector syntax' on Start / Preferences / Preferences / Links /General.
Every day's a school day...

More the "workaround" you mean.

The solution is that Sparx fixes that bug.

Geert

[qwerty]

The solution is that Sparx fixes that bug.

Geert

+1

q.

[Eve]

More the "workaround" you mean.

The solution is that Sparx fixes that bug.

Yes and no. The solution to the question of "So where do I tell EA to 'just do what I tell you..'?" is disabling strict connector syntax. Fixing the bug does not address that question. There may be plenty of reasons why you would want to override EA validation rules.

Of course the reason for that question being asked in this thread is a bug. EA should and will be corrected. (Actually it has, we just need to get the release to you)