Customization > Automation Interface > Object Attributes and Associations > Association (automation interface)
  
Association (automation interface)
An Association models a static and structural relationship between Actors, Class objects (Class, Data Type, Interface and Signal items), Data Types, Interfaces, Signals and Attributes (parts and ports) and Roles (parts and ports).
ATTRIBUTES:
In addition to the common attributes
Aggregate
This indicates which item (if any) is aggregated, that is, part of the other item. Possible values are: Start, End or None.
For example, A Book[Start] is made up of zero or more Chapters[End] => Aggregate = Start.
Access is read/write.
Composite Aggregation
A string that specifies whether the Association is a Composite Aggregation. Possible values are TRUE and FALSE.
Access is read/write.
Description
A textual property that gives an overview of the dictionary item.
Access is read/write.
End Multiplicity Text
A string that specifies the multiplicity of the End of the Association. Set as follows for the values available in the drop-down list on the Association's Property Pages:
• ZERO or ONE
• ZERO or MORE
• only ONE
• ONE or MORE
• TBD
Other values represent a User Defined value. For example, 12 to 15 or Thirteen.
Access is read/write.
End Multiplicity UML
A string that specifies the multiplicity of the End of the Association. Set as follows for the values available in the drop-down list on the Association's Property Pages:
• 0..1
• *
• 1
• 1..*
• For TBD End Multiplicity UML is blank.
Other values represent a User Defined value. For example, 12 to 15 or Thirteen.
Access is read/write.
End Qualifier
A string (Max Length 50) - this reduces the effective multiplicity of the End item. For example, a Tax Office is related to one Tax Payer when qualified by a Social Security Number.
Tax Office[Social Security Number] => Tax Payer.
Access is read/write.
Name Direction
Indicates in which way you should read (interpret) the name of the Association. Possible values are start-end or end-start.
Access: read/write.
Navigation
Indicates in which direction the Association should be implemented. Possible values are start-end, end-start, bi-directional or none.
Access is read/write.
Start Multiplicity Text
A string that specifies the multiplicity of the Start of the Association. Set as follows for the values available in the drop-down list on the Association's Property Pages:
• ZERO or ONE
• ZERO or MORE
• only ONE
• ONE or MORE
• TBD
Other values represent a User Defined value. For example, 12 to 15 or Thirteen.
Access is read/write.
Start Multiplicity UML
A string that specifies the multiplicity of the Start of the Association. Set as follows for the values available in the drop-down list on the Association's Property Pages:
• 0..1
• *
• 1
• 1..*
• For TBD End Multiplicity UML is blank.
Other values represent a User Defined value. For example, 12 to 15 or Thirteen.
Access is read/write.
Start Qualifier
See End Qualifier for Details.
Access is read/write.
ASSOCIATIONS:
In addition to the common associations
Applied Comment
Relationship to Comments that are applied to the Association.
Multiplicity is 0+, access is read/write.
Applied Constraint
Relationship to Constraints that are applied to the Association.
Multiplicity is 0+, access is read/write.
Associated Item
Used by the AddDirected function to add an Association (item) between the Attribute (as a Part or Port) and another valid item.
Multiplicity is 0+, access is write only.
End Class
The Actor, Class object Class object (Class, Data Type, Interface or Signal item), Attribute or Role at which the Association ends.
Multiplicity is 1, Access is read/write.
End Qualifier
Relationship to the Qualifier at end of the Association.
Multiplicity is 0-1, Access is read/write.
See also Start Qualifier and Qualifier.
End Role
The Role that the End Actor, Class object (Class, Data Type, Interface or Signal item), Attribute or Role holds in the Association.
Multiplicity is 1, Access is read/write.
Link Class
A Class object (Class, Data Type, Interface or Signal item) describing the attributes that are also created for each Association that is made.
Multiplicity is 0-1, Access is read/write.
Owned Comment
Relationship to Comments that are owned by the Association.
Multiplicity is 0+, access is read/write.
Owned Constraint
Relationship to Constraints that are owned by the Association.
Multiplicity is 0+, access is read/write.
Qualifier
Relationship to the Qualifiers at either end of the Association.
Multiplicity is 1+, Access is read/write.
See also Start Qualifier and End Qualifier.
Role
Returns all roles on the Association.
Multiplicity is 1+, Access is read/write.
Start Class
The Actor, Class object (Class, Data Type, Interface or Signal item), Attribute or Role from which the Association starts.
Multiplicity is 1, Access is read/write.
Start Qualifier
Relationship to the Qualifier at start of the Association.
Multiplicity is 0-1, Access is read/write.
See also End Qualifier and Qualifier.
Start Role
The Role that the Start Actor, Class object (Class, Data Type, Interface or Signal item), Attribute or Role holds in the Association.
Multiplicity is 1, Access is read/write.
Storage Model
A collection of related items in the storage model as a result of storage mapping.
Multiplicity is 0+, Access is read/write.