Define Parameters

Within the properties of an operation, Activity or Interaction, you can define parameters to control how that object and its subordinate objects behave.

The order or sequence of the parameters in the object properties is reproduced in code. You can set and manage the order using facilities available within the 'Parameters' tab of the Properties window for an operation.

Access

Ribbon	Design > Element > Properties > Properties > [select or create an operation] > Parameters
Keyboard Shortcuts	Alt+1 \| [select or create an operation] > Parameters

Define the Parameters

The first two fields are in the lower panel of the tab, and the remaining fields are in the upper panel.

Option	Action	See also
Parameter	In the 'Parameter' list, overtype the New Parameter text with the new parameter name.
Type	Click on the drop-down arrow and click on: The required data type of the operation, as defined by the code language (data type) or <none> for no type (or you can type in a value manually if you prefer), or 'Select Type' and browse for the appropriate operation classifier (you can add a new one if there are no classifiers that suit) To add new code language data types that can be displayed in this list, see the Data Types topic.	Select Dialog Data Types
Default Value	(Optional) Type a default value for the parameter.
Stereotype	(Optional) Type in the appropriate stereotype name, or click on the button and select one using the Stereotype Selector.	Stereotype Selector
Alias	(Optional) Type an alternative name or reference for the parameter.
Direction	Click on the drop-down arrow and select the way the parameter is passed to a function: In = By Value InOut = By Reference Out = Passed By Reference, but only the return value is significant Return = The parameter is a returned value	Operation Parameters by Reference
Fixed Value	Click on the drop-down arrow and select True, even if the parameter is passed by reference.
Multiplicity	Click on the button to display the 'Multiplicity' dialog, and define the multiplicity of the parameter. Lower bound - Type the lower limit to the number of elements that must be in the collection Upper bound - Type the upper limit to the number of elements allowed in the collection Allow Duplicates - Select the checkbox to indicate that duplicate values are allowed; this field maps to the UML property isUnique, with a value False Multiplicity is Ordered - Select the checkbox to indicate that the collection is ordered OK - Click on this button to save the information and close the dialog
Notes	Click on the Selector button and type any additional notes on the parameter. These notes are unformatted.

Notes

To organize parameters into the required sequence, and reorganize the display of information, right-click on the background of the 'Parameter' tab or on a specific parameter and select from the same context menu options as for the 'Operations' tab
Set the amount of parameter detail to display in a specific diagram using the 'Show Parameter Detail' drop-down list on the 'Features' tab of the 'Diagram Properties' dialog; the setting applies only to the current diagram, and the default is to show the type only
You can set Tagged Values on a parameter, as well as on the parent operation

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