Central buffer (dictionary item)

Model Parts, Diagrams, Dictionary Items, and Properties > Dictionary items > Central buffer (dictionary item)

For automation interface information about a Central Buffer, see Object node (automation interface). For automation interface purposes, a Central Buffer is an Object Node that has its Node Type set to Central Buffer Node.

A Central Buffer is an object node item for managing flows from multiple sources and destinations. A Central Buffer accepts tokens from upstream object node items and passes them along to downstream object node items. They act as a buffer for multiple in flows and out flows from other object node items.

Create a Central Buffer through a Modeler pane or an Activity Diagram:

• In a Modeler pane, right-click an Activity or Structured Activity Node, and select New > Object Node > Central Buffer Node.

• On an Activity Diagram tab, click the

Central Buffer button, and then click in free space or inside an Activity Partition, Interruptible Activity Region or Structured Activity Node.

When used on an Activity Diagram, a Central Buffer's notation is as follows.

The View Options on an Activity Diagram allow you to show or hide the item type, that is, «Central Buffer». In addition, the view options allow you to dock a Central Buffer onto the boundary of an Activity Partition. The view options are set through the Object Node entry. For more information, see Object node view options - activity diagram.

On an Activity Diagram, you can populate a Central Buffer's missing Activity Flows, Comments and Constraints: right-click the Central Buffer, point to Populate, and then click the appropriate command.

On a Class Diagram, you can show a Central Buffer as an Association between an Activity and a Class, that is, between the Activity that owns the Central Buffer and the Class that is that Central Buffer's type. To add this Association to a Class Diagram: right-click the Activity, and select Populate > Associations. When shown on a Class Diagram, a Central Buffer's notation is as follows.

The View Options on a Class Diagram allows you to show or hide the name of the Central Buffer. The View options are set through the Association entry. For more information, see Association view options - class diagram.

On a Class Diagram, you can populate a Central Buffer's missing Association symbols: right-click the Central Buffer, and select Populate > Associations.

In the Dictionary pane, Central Buffers are listed in the UML\Object Nodes folder.

In the Modeler panes, a short-cut symbol

on the Central Buffer's icon indicates that the item is a stub. For more information, see Stubs.

The following sections provide information about how a Central Buffer is used in the model. For more information about a property, item, model part or diagram, click it.

Properties

In addition to the standard properties a Central Buffer has these properties:

• Data Type (Type association through the automation interface)

• Multiplicity

• Ordering

• Visibility

Owned by

Activity

Structured Activity Node - Applies only when the Central Buffer is scoped directly to a Structured Activity Node.

Owns

Comment

Constraint

Dependency - The Dependency is owned jointly by the Central Buffer and the other associated item. The access permissions you have to a Dependency are determined by the access permissions of the dependent item.

IO Flow - The IO Flow is owned jointly by the Central Buffer, the IO Flow's other linked item and the IO Flow's IO Item.

Object Flow The Object Flow is owned jointly by the Central Buffer and the associated item. The access permissions you have to an Object Flow are determined by the access permissions you have to its source item.