Adding more properties for a symbol

Customizing the metamodel > Specifying properties for diagrams, symbols, and definitions > Specifying properties for symbol types > Adding more properties for a symbol

To add more properties for a symbol, use the following syntax:

SYMBOL symbol_type IN diagram_type
{
PROPERTY-1 property_name { property_value }
PROPERTY-2 property_name { property_value }
PROPERTY-3 property_name { property_value }
}

You must specify the diagram type that the symbol you are referring to is contained in. A symbol can appear on many different diagram types.

Example

You can make the following changes to USRPROPS.TXT:

SYMBOL "State" IN "State"
{
PROPERTY "Short Description" { EDIT Text LENGTH 1500 }
PROPERTY "Number" { EDIT Numeric LENGTH 4 }
}

These changes add “Short Description” and “Number” to the properties of a state symbol on a UML State diagram; “Graphic Comment” is always available.

Modified dialog box

This graphic is described in the surrounding text.

Some symbol types occur on many different diagrams. Continuing with the example, there are other types of state diagrams in System Architect that have state symbols, such as the IDEF3 Object State Transition diagram, the OV-06b Op State Transition diagram, and the State Transition Ward & Mellor diagram. If you want the “Short Description” and “Number” properties to occur on these three types, include the property block three times: one time for each diagram type.

SYMBOL "State" IN "IDEF3 Object State Transition"
{
PROPERTY "Short Description" { EDIT Text LENGTH 1500 }
PROPERTY "Number" { EDIT Numeric LENGTH 4 }
}
SYMBOL "State" IN "OV-06b Op State Transition"
{
PROPERTY "Short Description" { EDIT Text LENGTH 1500 }
PROPERTY "Number" { EDIT Numeric LENGTH 4 }
}
SYMBOL "State" IN "State Transition Ward & Mellor"
{
PROPERTY "Short Description" { EDIT Text LENGTH 1500 }
PROPERTY "Number" { EDIT Numeric LENGTH 4 }
}