[news.eclipse.tools.uml2] Re: correct mapping of a dynamic simulation mo

["James Bruck" <jbruck@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Axel,

Q. How can I describe a parameter of an operation?
A. Parameters of operations correspond to pins in Actions.   The Action
refers to some behavior ie, the operation.   The pins correspond to
parameters on the operation.  They do not directly refer to the parameters
but correspond positionally to the parameters of the operation.  I believe
there have been previous postings on this if you do a search.

Q. ... you say "k is a parameter of the operation" how can I access it.
A. I'm a little confused on how you want to use k, I don't think you want a
simple InputPin as the you would for x.   I think what you want is to create
a Variable under the Activity.   You can then use ReadVariableActions and
AddVariableActions to read and write the value of that variable.     Then,
you can model what you want completely with an OpaqueBehavior ( ie. A
CallBehaviorAction with its Behavior referring to an OpaqueBehavior ).  You
can then create an InputPin for X, an OutputPin for Y and refer to a
ReadVariableAction for k.

I'm still a little uncertain what exactly you are trying to do.  For
example, do you not have Classes or classifiers that can hold operations?
Are you restricting yourself to Activity diagrams only.

Let me know what you finally decide on ... sounds interesting.

Cheers,

- James.


"AxelR" <reichwein@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ei814a$8tp$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hello James,
>
> thank you for the answer.
>
> I also considered CallOperationAction and I really wish to model the
> dynamic simulation model as an activity diagram. I understand the
> concept of input and ouput parameters of an operation, described by the
> Input- and OutputPins. But how can I describe a parameter of an operation?
>
> For example: y = k*x
> x is the input, y is the output, and k is a parameter of the operation.
> And k is variable, it can be any number. I want to place the value of k
> somehow in the UML model, so that the user can easily access it and
> change it. Where should I place this operation dependent parameter?
>
> Should I place it as a parameter that belongs to the operation?
>
> Thank you for the help.
>
> Axel
>
>
>
>
> James Bruck schrieb:
> > Hi Axel,
> >
> > Consider CallOperationAction.   CallOperationActions refer to an
operation
> > of a Class.  They own InputPins that correspond to parameters of the
> > operation and
> > OutputPin's that correspond to the return parameter.
> > I think you can show what you want using InputPins and OutputPins.  You
can
> > use ObjectFlow's between the pins.
> > You seem to be on the right track with Activity Diagrams.
> >
> > Alternatively, if you want to model the structure of a certain
structured
> > classifier you can consider using Composite Structure Diagrams.   You
can
> > model properties using parts or roles and connect them using Connectors.
> > Ports are also useful for modeling interaction points on structured
> > classifiers.
> >
> > If you want to convey how a group of associated parts contribute to
> > accomplish one particular task you might consider creating a
collaboration
> > with roles in it's structure diagram and show how the roles are
> > inter-connected.
> >
> > Sequence diagrams could also be of some use if you want to model general
> > instances or specific instances ( a particular run ) of executing code.
> >
> > Creating a profile and stereotypes would be a final step if you have
> > concepts specific to your domain that you wish to emphasize.  ( Keep in
mind
> > that you could just use keywords as a "ultra-light weight" way of
> > emphasizing your concepts. )
> >
> > ... a little vague but I hope this helps....
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > - James.
> >
> >
> >
> > "AxelR" <reichwein@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:ei7ob0$qt6$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> >>Hello,
> >>
> >>I need some help on how to model a dynamic simulation model(for e.g. a
> >>Simulink model) in UML. The dynamic simulation model consists of blocks
> >>with certain characteristics that are connected to each other. For
> >>example: an input block sends a constant value to another block, which
> >>integrates this input value over time, and this result is sent to
> >>another block and so on...
> >>
> >>I am asking myself what is the best way to map the information included
> >>in a dynamic simulation model into a UML model with domain specific
> >>stereotypes, in this case specific to the dynamic simulation model.
> >>
> >>I first thought it would be practical to map the blocks of the dynamic
> >>simulation to actions in an activity, which would be connected by
> >>control flows, like this:
> >>dynamic simulation model -> Activity, blocks -> Actions, Edges between
> >>blocks-> ControlFlows
> >>
> >>However as actions do not have properties (as classes and instances
> >>have), how can I map the parameters of the blocks to the actions? The
> >>block parameters would need to be in a stereotype applied to the action.
> >>But this would mean, that a stereotype would be needed for every
> >>possible blocktype. This wouldn't be a flexible solution as new
> >>blocktypes can be defined any time, and the creation of new stereotypes
> >>would be forced and cumbersome. I would appreciate a solution, where the
> >>stereotypes needed for this domain specific modeling, are minimal in
> >>quantity and size. Ideally this mapping would be wishful: Parameter of a
> >>Block -> Property of an Action
> >>
> >>Is there something about actions and activities that I missed to realize
> >>a correct mapping? Or should I try another approach, for example:
> >>dynamic simulation model -> Class containing references to all blocks
> >>included in the dynamic model, blocks -> Instances of classes, Edges
> >>between blocks-> InformationFlows between instances  ?
> >>
> >>I would appreciate any help.
> >>
> >>Axel
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >