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Update Package Contents

In addition to generating and importing code, Enterprise Architect provides the option to synchronize the model and source code, creating a model that represents the latest changes in the source code and vice versa. You can use either the model as the source, or the code as the source.

The behavior and actions of synchronization depend on the settings you have selected on the 'Attributes and Operations' page of the 'Preferences' dialog. Working with these settings, you can either protect or automatically discard information in the model that is not present in the code, and prompt for a decision on code features that are not in the model. In these two examples, the appropriate checkboxes have been selected for maximum protection of data:

  • You generated some source code, but made subsequent changes to the model; when you generate code again, Enterprise Architect adds any new attributes or methods to the existing source code, leaving intact what already exists, which means developers can work on the source code and then generate additional methods as required from the model, without having their code overwritten or destroyed
  • You might have made changes to a source code file, but the model has detailed notes and characteristics you do not want to lose; by synchronizing from the source code into the model, you import additional attributes and methods but do not change other model elements

Using the synchronization methods, it is simple to keep source code and model elements up to date and synchronized.

Access

Ribbon

Code > Source Code > Synchronize > Synchronize Package

Synchronize Package contents against source code

Field/Button

Action

See also

Update Type

Select the radio button to either Forward Engineer or Reverse Engineer the Package Classes, as appropriate.

Include child packages in generation

Select the checkbox to include child Packages in the synchronization.

OK

Click on the button to start synchronization.

Enterprise Architect uses the directory names specified when the project source was first imported/generated and updates either the model or the source code depending on the option chosen. If:

  • Performing forward synchronization AND
  • There are differences between the model and code AND
  • The 'On forward synch, prompt to delete code features not in model' checkbox is selected in the 'Options - Attributes and Operations' dialog

THEN the 'Synchronize Element <package name>.<element name>' dialog displays.

Otherwise, no further action is required.

 Synchronize Model and Code

Notes

  • Code synchronization does not change method bodies; behavioral code cannot be synchronized, and code generation only works when generating the entire file
  • In the Corporate, Unified and Ultimate editions of Enterprise Architect, if security is enabled you must have 'Generate Source Code and DDL' permission to synchronize source code with model elements

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