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Graphical Design of Data Types


SDL Suite offers the following graphical data type design features:

Class Symbols

With class symbols you can graphically design data types. The SDL editor handles class symbols much the same way as other SDL symbols.

Figure 194 Class symbol

A class symbol has three separate text fields:

The properties of a class symbol can be set in the preference manager in the same way as for other SDL symbols, except for case sensitivity, see Case Sensitivity. The size of the class symbol is adjusted to the size of the text, and you cannot change them manually. Class symbols cannot be collapsed or expanded.

Association and Aggregation Lines

There are two types of lines:

Figure 195

Association Lines

An association links two types using UML notation. The types are:

Association lines can be both redirected and bidirected. Single association lines (unidirectional associations) have a name and a role name. Double association lines (bidirectional associations) have a name and two role names.

Figure 196 : Example of an association line

Aggregation Lines

Aggregations use the same format as associations.

Aggregations are used to indicate that a class is a subset of another class or a part-of relationship, e.g. a steering wheel is a subset of or a part of a car. Aggregations can only be single directed.

Figure 197 : Example of an aggregation line.


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