Model Parts, Diagrams, Dictionary Items, and Properties > Dictionary items > Initial state (dictionary item)
Initial state (dictionary item)
For automation interface information about an Initial State, see State (automation interface). For automation interface purposes, an Initial State is a State that has its UML State Type set to Initial.
An Initial State indicates the point from which a Transition leads an object to the state it acquires at instantiation. A Class or Interface can have multiple Initial States depending on the events causing instantiation.
Create an Initial State through a Modeler explorer pane or a State Diagram:
• In a Modeler pane, right-click a State Machine or Sequential State, and select New > Pseudo State > Initial State.
• On a State Diagram, click the Initial State button, and then click the diagram background (within the frame) or within a Sequential State.
When used on a State Diagram, an Initial State's notation is as follows.
The View Options on a State Diagram allow you to show or hide the Name. By default, the Name is not shown. See Initial state view options - state diagram.
On a State Diagram, you can populate Initial States: right-click the State Machine (frame) or Sequential State that owns the Initial States, and select Populate > All States. Note that all owned states are added to the diagram.
In the Dictionary pane, Initial States are listed in the UML\States folder.
In the Modeler panes, a short-cut symbol on the Initial State's icon indicates that the item is a stub.
The following sections provide information about how an Initial State is used in the model.
Properties
An Initial State has only the standard properties.
Owned by
Atomic State (through child State Diagram)
Sequential State
State Machine
Owns
Comment
Constraint
Dependency — The Dependency is owned jointly by the Initial State and the other associated item. The access permissions you have to a Dependency are determined by the access permissions of the dependent item.
Transition — The Transition is owned jointly by the Initial State and the other associated item. The access permissions you have to a Transition are determined by the access permissions of the source item.
Defined in these parts of the model
State Model
Shown on these diagrams
State Diagram
Variant Diagram
Can be linked to these dictionary items
In addition to the owning State Machine or Sequential State, an Initial State can be linked to the following items.
Stereotype — To make an Initial State valid for a Stereotype, make State a valid item type.
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Creating an initial state
Populating items on a state diagram
Scoping a state diagram item to a different parent item
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