Variability Modeling > Modeling variability in a model > Working with variability items and relationships on diagrams > Working with alternative choices > Creating an alternative choice
  
Creating an alternative choice
You can create an Alternative Choice that includes many, one or no Variability Dependencies on creation.
This topic has the following tasks:
Creating an Alternative Choice for many existing Variability Dependencies.
Creating an Alternative Choice for a single existing Variability Dependency.
Creating an Alternative Choice that is not linked to any Variability Dependencies.
To create an alternative choice for many existing variability dependencies:
1. Open the diagram on which you want to create the Alternative Choice for many existing Variability Dependencies.
2. Select the Variability Dependencies that you want to include in the Alternative Choice you are creating. You can multi-select Variability Dependencies on a diagram by holding down the Ctrl key while you select each Variability Dependency.
The Variability Dependencies must all be linked to the same Variation Point and not be linked to any Alternative Choices.
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If you select any mandatory Variability Dependencies, they will be made optional when they are linked to the Alternative Choice.
3. Right-click one of the selected Variability Dependencies, and then click Create Alternative Choice.
After creating the Alternative Choice, you can create new Variability Dependencies to link the Alternative Choice to other Variants, and you can include other Variability Dependencies in the Alternative Choice. For more information, see the related links below..
To create an alternative choice for a single existing variability dependency:
1. Open the diagram on which you want to create the Alternative Choice for a single existing Variability Dependency.
2. On the Variant Diagram or Variability toolbar, click the Alternative Choice button.
3. Click the Variability Dependency that you want to include in the Alternative Choice you are creating.
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If you click a mandatory Variability Dependency, it will be made optional.
After creating the Alternative Choice, you can create new Variability Dependencies to link the Alternative Choice to other Variants, and you can include other Variability Dependencies in the Alternative Choice. For more information, see the related links below.
To create an alternative choice that is not linked to any variability dependencies:
1. Open the diagram on which you want to create the Alternative Choice.
2. On the Variant Diagram or Variability toolbar, click the Alternative Choice button.
3. Click in free space where you want the Alternative Choice to appear.
4. Click the Variation Point that is to own the Alternative Choice.
5. Type the multiplicity of the Alternative Choice, and then press the Enter key.
Use an asterisk to specify an unbound multiplicity, that is, '1..*'.
Alternatively, if you want to use the Property Pages to specify the multiplicity of the Alternative Choice, which is set to 1 by default:
a. Open the Alternative Choice's Property Pages.
b. Click the Options tab.
c. In the Max box, type the value of the maximum number of Variants that can be selected.
Use an asterisk to specify an unbound multiplicity, that is, '*'.
d. In the Min box, type the value of the minimum number of Variants that must be selected.
After creating the Alternative Choice, you can create Variability Dependencies to link the Alternative Choice to its Variants, and you can include existing Variability Dependencies in the Alternative Choice. For more information, see the related links below.
Alternatively, through a Modeler pane:
1. Right-click the Variation Point for which you are creating an Alternative Choice, point to New, and then click Alternative Choice.
2. Type the name of the Alternative Choice, and then press the Enter key.
3. By default, the multiplicity of the Alternative Choice is set to 1. If you want to change the multiplicity:
a. Open the Alternative Choice's Property Pages.
b. Click the Options tab.
c. In the Max box, type the value of the maximum number of Variants that can be selected.
Use an asterisk to specify an unbound multiplicity, that is, '*'.
d. In the
Min box, type the value of the minimum number of Variants that must be selected.
After creating the Alternative Choice in a Modeler pane, you must use diagrams to create Variability Dependencies to link the Alternative Choice to its Variants, or include existing Variability Dependencies in the Alternative Choice. For more information, see the related links below.