An action state represents execution of an atomic action, usually the
invocation of an action. Within the UML metamodel,
ActionState
is a sub-class of
SimpleState
. It is a specialized simple state that
only has an entry action, and with an implicit trigger as soon as that
action is completed.
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As a consequence any outgoing transitions from an action state should not have explicit triggers defined (ArgoUML will not currently check for this). They may have guards to provide a choice where there is more than one transition. |
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Unlike an ordinary state, an internal transition, an exit action and a Do activity are not permitted for action states. |
An action state is represented on an activity diagram in ArgoUML as a rectangle with rounded corners containing the name of the action state.
![]() | Caution |
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The UML standard expects that the activity diagram should contain the expression associated with the entry action, rather than the action state name (which is shown by the current version on ArgoUML). |
The details tabs that are active for action states are as follows.
ToDoItem
Standard tab.
Properties
See Section 21.2.2, “Action State Property ToolBar” and Section 21.2.3, “Property fields for action state” below.
Documentation
Standard tab.
Style
Standard tab. The values for the bounds of the action state define the bounding box of the action state.
Source
Standard tab that shows the name of the action state.
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In the fullness of time this tab will contain code to implement the action state (code for actions will be associated with the particular actions). This is not implemented in the current release of ArgoUML. |
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,
ActionState
has the following standard
tagged values defined.
derived
(from the
superclass, ModelElement
). Values
true
, meaning the action state is
redundant—it can be formally derived from other
elements, or false
meaning it cannot.
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Derived action states still have their value in analysis and design to introduce useful names or concepts, and in design to avoid re-computation. |
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The UML |
Go
up
Navigate up through the package structure.
Delete
This deletes the action state from the model
![]() | Warning |
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This is a deletion from the model
not just the diagram. To delete an
action state from the diagram, but keep it within the model, use
the main menu But beware!. Currently, ArgoUML does not show the
|
Name
Text box. The name of the action state. By convention action state names start with a lower case letter and use bumpy caps to divide words within the name.
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ArgoUML does not enforce this naming convention. |
Stereotype
Drop down selector. Action state has no stereotypes by default in the UML standard.
Navigate Stereotype
icon. If a
stereotype has been selected, this will navigate to the
stereotype property panel (see
Section 15.4, “Stereotype”).
Namespace
Text box. The namespace in which the action state is defined.
Entry-Action
Text box. Shows the name of the action to be invoked on entry to this action state. According the UML standard, an Action State is obliged to have an Entry-Action.
Button 1 double-click navigates to the shown entry, button 2 gives a pop up menu with two entries.
New
.
Add a new Entry action of a certain kind.
This menu has the following 7 submenus
to select the kind of action: Call Action, Create Action,
Destroy Action, Return Action, Send Action, Terminate Action,
Uninterpreted Action.
Delete From Model
.
Delete the Entry-Action.
Incoming
Text area. Lists the transitions that enter this action state.
Button 1 double-click navigates to the selected entry.
Outgoing
Text area. Lists the transitions that leave this action state.
Button 1 double-click navigates to the selected entry.