2008-06-18

Creating UML Composite States in Sparx Enterprise Architect

How to create a UML composite state element using Sparx Systems' Enterprise Architect application:

  1. In a state machine diagram, create a new state element.
  2. Select the state element's context menu item Advanced / Composite Element.

The selected state element is converted into a composite state element (the image has a infinity symbol) with its own state machine diagram (check the Project Browser). Now you can draw a transition line to and from this composite state and include it in state transition tables.

Annoyingly, Enterprise Architect's on-line help describes a composite element but doesn't show to make one!

2 comments:

  1. Not true. See:

    http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?compositestate.htm

    This provides one method, and also directs you to the Help page for creating composite elements in general (which is the method you have posted).

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  2. You're right.

    In the off-line help, if I search for "composite element", the "Composite Elements" page is displayed and describes how to create one using the Advanced menu. On the other hand, if I type "composite state", the "Composite State" page doesn't describe how to make one.

    Live and learn.

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