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Creating an SDL Structure


In this section you will create a small example and perform a number of actions to learn what possibilities and limitations there are in the SDL-2000 support in the SDL Suite.

Figure 198 :SDL diagram with class symbols

Working with Class Symbols

  1. Start the SDL Editor.
  2. Place a class symbol in the diagram.
    You place symbols the same way as other SDL symbols, see Placing Block Reference Symbols. You can move symbols but not resize them.
  3. Name the class symbol Person.
    All class symbols with the same class name are treated as a single, merged class. See Limitations for more information on naming issues.
  4. Fill out the attribute and operator fields.
  5. Place two more class symbols in the diagram and name them Company and Xid.
  6. Fill out the attribute and operator fields.

Working with Lines

  1. Click the class symbol Person. Two handles appears.
  2. Select the square association handle and drag it to the class symbol Company. The editor draws a line while you are dragging. You drag lines the same way as lines in other SDL diagrams, see Drawing Channels between Blocks.

Figure 199

  1. Click the mouse button when you have reached the class symbol Company. The line is connected at both ends.
  2. Name the association line and the role.

The name of an association is often a verb phrase and the role often has a noun as a name.

Figure 200

  1. Bidirect the line by selecting Bidirect from the Edit menu.
  2. Give the second role a name.
  3. Select the diamond shaped aggregation handle and drag it to the class symbol Xid.
  4. Name the aggregation line and the role.

Moving Symbols and Lines

You move symbols and lines the same way as in other SDL diagrams, see Moving and Resizing Symbols.

Saving the Diagram

  1. Save the diagram by the menu choice Save, by clicking the Save button or by <Ctrl> s.
    The file is saved with the extension .ssy.

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