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Define Metamodel Constraints

When extending UML to develop a domain-specific Profile, Enterprise Architect allows you to specify constraints that enable restricting the connectors that can be drawn from a Stereotype, either using the Quick Linker or from the Toolbox. These constraints are defined using the relationships under the 'Metamodel' page of the 'Profile' toolbox.

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Design > Diagram > Toolbox: > Profile

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Add Metamodel Constraints to a Profile

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Meta-Relationship

A Meta-Relationship connector between two Stereotypes is used to specify a valid UML Connector between these two Stereotypes.

The name of the UML Connector should be set in the tag 'metaclass' on the Meta-Relationship connector.

In the Profile example, a Meta-Relationship connector is drawn from ServiceSpecification to ServiceInterface and the name of the UML Connector is specified in the connector's Tagged Values window.

After importing this Profile into a Model, Enterprise Architect will show the UML Connector when the Quick Linker is used to draw a relationship between a ServiceSpecification and ServiceInterface.

Meta-Constraint

A Meta-Constraint connector between two Stereotypes is used to specify a constraint between these two Stereotypes.

The constraint should be set in the tag 'umlRole' on the Meta-Constraint connector.

In the Profile example, a Meta-Constraint connector is drawn from ActualProjectMilestone to ProjectMilestone and the constraint is specified as classifier on the tag 'umlRole' in the connector's Tagged Values window.

After importing this Profile into a model, Enterprise Architect will show only the ProjectMilestone stereotyped elements when assigning a classifier for ActualProjectMilestone element.

Constraint values for the tag 'umlRole' include:

  • classifier – restricts the classifier for the source Stereotype element to the target Stereotype element
  • type – restricts the type for the source Stereotype element to the target Stereotype element
  • behavior - restricts the behavior for the source Stereotype element to the target Stereotype element
  • conveyed - restricts the conveyed element for the source Stereotype element to the target Stereotype element
  • slot - restricts the slot for the source Stereotype element to the target Stereotype element
  • client/source/end[0].role/informationSource – restricts the source of a connector to the target Stereotype element
  • supplier/target/end[1].role/informationTarget - restricts the target of a connector to the target Stereotype element
  • realizingConnector/realizingActivityEdge/realizingMessage - restricts the relationship that can realize an information flow
  • typedElement/instanceSpecification – when dropping as classifier from the Project Browser, this constraint restricts the type to the target Stereotype element
  • owner/class/activity/owningInstance – restricts the container of this element to the target Stereotype element; this constraint is used to create embedded element rules for the Quick Linker and validate nesting during Model Validation
  • ownedElement/ownedAttribute/ownedOperation/ownedParameter/ownedPort – restricts the element/attribute/operation/parameter/port that can be owned by the source Stereotype element; this constraint is typically used to validate nesting during Model Validation
  • annotatedElement/constrainedElement – restricts the target of a Note Link connector to the target Stereotype element
 Constraints on Meta-Constraint connector

Stereotyped Relationship

A Stereotyped Relationship connector between two Stereotypes is used to specify a valid stereotyped connector between these two Stereotypes.

The Stereotype name should be set in the tag 'stereotype' on the Stereotyped Relationship connector.

In the Profile example, a Stereotyped Relationship connector is drawn from ApplicationComponent to ApplicationEvent and the stereotype of the relationship is set to 'Assignment' in the connector's Tagged Values window.

After importing this Profile into a model, Enterprise Architect will show the 'Assigned' option when the Quick Linker is used to draw a relationship between an ApplicationComponent and ApplicationEvent.

Note :

  • The value of the tag stereotype on the Stereotyped Relationship connector can be either a simple or a fully qualified connector stereotype

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