This property specifies an underlying data type of an Activity (its return), Attribute, Operation (its return), Parameter or Type Definition.
The Data Type property is unusual in that you can:
• Reference a linked item that defines the data type, or
• Type a text string that does not reference a linked item (an undefined data type).
This property is set on:
• For Activities — the Return tab of the Activity's Property Pages.
• For Attributes — the Data Type tab of the Attribute's Property Pages.
• For Operations — the Return tab of the Operation's Property Pages.
• For Parameters — the Options tab of the Parameter's Property Pages.
• For Type Definitions — the Data Type tab of the Type Definition's Property Pages.
By default, the Type box is blank.
Referencing a linked item
From the Property Pages, you reference an item that specifies the underlying data type by either:
• Selecting the Use Existing Model Data Type check box, or
• Clicking the Select button
In both cases, Modeler opens a selection dialog for you to select the required item. After selecting an item, the name of the referenced item is added to the Type box. You can tell that it is a referenced item because:
• The Use Existing Model Data Type check box is selected.
• The text in the Type box is read only, which is indicated through a gray background.
The following items can be used to specify an underlying data type:
When an Activity, Attribute, Operation, Parameter or Type Definition uses one of the preceding items as a data type, Modeler creates a special link between the Activity, Attribute, Operation, Parameter or Type Definition and the referenced item. You cannot navigate this link through the Links Editor.
You can also set the Data Type of an item in the following ways:
• You can set the Data Type of an Activity, Attribute or Operation (including the Data Type of its Parameters) through its signature. For more information, see Related Links below.
• You can set the Data Type of an Attribute, Operation, Parameter or Type Definition in the Modeler panes by dragging the item you want to be the data type to the Attribute, Operation, Parameter or Type Definition.
• You can set the Data Type of an Attribute or Operation on a Class Diagram by dragging the item you want to be the data type to the Attribute or Operation.
Undefined Data Type
Modeler allows you to type the name of a data type in the Type box. This is useful if you want to name a data type without having to specify its detail. When you type the name of a data type the underlying data type is undefined. You can tell that no item is referenced because:
• The Use Existing Model Data Type check box is cleared.
• The text in the Type box is editable, which is indicated through a white background.
Ultimately you should specify the undefined data type, which you can do in two ways:
• Reference an item that defines the data type.
• Use the Data Type Converter to create and reference a new item for the undefined data type. For example, if you type Address for a data type of an Attribute, the Data Type Converter can create a Basic Type named Address, and then reference that Basic Type from the Attribute. For more information about the Data Type Converter, see
Data type converter.
The following section provides information about the items and diagrams for which Data Type is a property. For more information about an item or diagram, click it.
Basic Type
Class
Data Type
Exception
Interface
Signal
Type Definition
Activity
Attribute
Operation
Parameter