A link is an instance of an association. In the UML metamodel
Link
is a sub-class of
Instance
. Within a sequence diagram links are created
indirectly when an associated stimulus is created.
An link is represented on a sequence diagram in ArgoUML as a line connecting the instances concerned. However on a sequence diagram the representation is modified to reflect the type of action associated with the stimulus carried on the link (see Section 18.3, “Stimulus”).
The details tabs that are active for links are as follows.
ToDoItem
Standard tab.
Properties
See Section 18.9.2, “Link Property Toolbar” and Section 18.9.3, “Property Fields For Link” below.
Documentation
Standard tab.
Style
Standard tab. The values for the bounds of the link notionally define the bounding box of the link. However if you change them it will have no effect.
![]() | Caution |
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In the current release of ArgoUML changing the values of the line field will alter the color of the line, but not the arrow head. |
Source
Standard tab, but with no contents.
![]() | Caution |
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A link should not generate any code, so having this tab active is probably a mistake. |
Constraints
Standard tab. ArgoUML only supports constraints on Classes and Features (Attributes, Operations, Receptions, and Methods), so this tab is grayed out.
Tagged Values
Standard tab. In the UML metamodel,
Link
has the following standard
tagged values defined.
persistence
(from the
superclass, Instance
. Showing the
permanence of the state information associated with the
link. Values transitory
(state is
destroyed when the link is destroyed) and
persistent
(state is preserved when the
link is destroyed).
derived
(from the
superclass, ModelElement
). Values
true
, meaning the link is
redundant—it can be formally derived from other
elements, or false
meaning it
cannot.
![]() | Note |
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Derived links still have their value in analysis and design to introduce useful names or concepts, and in design to avoid re-computation. |
![]() | Note |
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The UML |
Go
up
Navigate up through the package structure.
Delete
This deletes the link from the model
![]() | Warning |
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This is a deletion from the model
not just the diagram. To delete an
link from the diagram, but keep it within the model, use
the main menu |
Name
Text box. The name of the link. By convention link names start with a lower case letter and use bumpy caps to divide words within the name.
![]() | Note |
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ArgoUML does not enforce this naming convention. |
Stereotype
Drop down selector. Link has no stereotypes by
default in the UML standard, but ArgoUML provides the
stereotypes, machine
,
organization
and
person
.
![]() | Caution |
---|---|
ArgoUML also provides the stereotype
|
Navigate Stereotype
icon. If a
stereotype has been selected, this will navigate to the
stereotype property panel (see Section 17.4, “Stereotype”).
Namespace
Text box. Records the namespace for the link. This is the package hierarchy.
Button 1 click on the entry will navigate to the package defining this namespace (or the model for the top level namespace).