Model Parts, Diagrams, Dictionary Items, and Properties > Dictionary items > Read structural feature action (dictionary item)
Read structural feature action (dictionary item)
For automation interface information about a Read Structural Feature Action, see Action Node. For automation interface purposes, a Read Structural Feature Action is an Action Node that has its Node Type set to Read Structural Feature Action.
A Read Structural Feature Action is a structural feature action that retrieves the values of a structural feature. This action reads the values of a structural feature in order, if the structural feature is ordered.
Create a Read Structural Feature Action through a Modeler explorer pane or an Activity Diagram:
• In a Modeler pane, right-click an Activity or Structured Activity Node, and select New > Action Node > Read Structural Feature Action.
• On an Activity Diagram tab: click the Read Structural Feature Action button, and then click in free space or inside an Activity Partition, Interruptible Activity Region or Structured Activity Node.
To access the Read Structural Feature Action button, click the arrow next to the Read Self Action button and then select Read Structural Feature Action button.
On creation of a Read Structural Feature Action, Modeler creates an Input Pin and an Output Pin:
• The Input Pin is named Object Pin, and the Input Pin's data type is set to the Class, Data Type, Interface or Signal that owns the Attribute or Role that is linked to the Read Structural Feature Action.
• The Output Pin is named Result Pin, and the Output Pin's data type is set to the Class, Data Type, Interface or Signal that is the type of the Attribute or Role that is linked to the Read Structural Feature Action.
You cannot delete the Input Pin or Output Pin, and you cannot create any other Input Pins or Output Pins on a Read Structural Feature Action.
When you create a Read Structural Feature Action, you are prompted to select the Attribute or Role that is read by the action. After creating a Read Structural Feature Action you cannot link that Read Structural Feature Action to a different Attribute or Role. You can view which Attribute or Role is linked to a Read Structural Feature Action through the Read Structural Feature Action's property pages: on the Items tab, select Linked Item.
When used on an Activity Diagram, a Read Structural Feature Action's notation is as follows.
The View Options on an Activity Diagram allow you to show or hide the Name, Action Type and Linked Item Name. By default, the Action Type and Linked Item Name are shown. The view options are set through the Action Node entry. Tell me more...
On an Activity Diagram, you can populate a Read Structural Feature Action's missing Activity Flows, Output Pins, Comments and Constraints: right-click the Read Structural Feature Action, select Populate, and then click the appropriate command.
In the Dictionary pane, Read Structural Feature Actions are listed in the UML\Action Nodes folder.
In the Modeler panes, a short-cut symbol on the Read Structural Feature Action's icon indicates that the item is a stub.
The following sections provide information about how a Read Structural Feature Action is used in the model.
Properties
In addition to the standard properties a Read Structural Feature Action has these properties:
Owned by
• Activity- The Activity that scopes the Read Structural Feature Action.
• Structured Activity Node- Applies only when the Read Structural Feature Action is scoped directly to a Structured Activity Node.
Owns
Comment
Constraint
Control Flow- The Control Flow is owned jointly by the Read Structural Feature Action and the associated item. The access permissions you have to a Control Flow are determined by the access permissions you have to its source item.
Dependency- The Dependency is owned jointly by the Read Structural Feature Action and the other associated item. The access permissions you have to a Dependency are determined by the access permissions of the dependent item.
Exception Handler- The Exception Handler is owned jointly by the Read Structural Feature Action and the associated item. The access permissions you have to an Exception Handler are determined by the access permissions you have to its source item.
Input Pin- Only the Object Pin that Modeler creates on creation of the Real Structural Feature Action.
IO Flow- The IO Flow is owned jointly by the Read Structural Feature Action, the IO Flow's other linked item and the IO Flow's IO Item.
Output Pin- Only the Result Pin that Modeler creates on creation of the Real Structural Feature Action.
Defined in these parts of the model
Activity Model
Shown on these diagrams
Activity Diagram
Variant Diagram
Can be linked to these dictionary items
In addition to the owning Activity or Structured Activity Node, a Read Structural Feature Action can be linked to the following items.
Stereotype- To make a Read Structural Feature Action valid for a Stereotype, set up Action Node a valid item type.
* 
Like most other items in a Model, a Read Structural Feature Action can be linked to an Activity Partition, Comment, Frame Box, General Node, General Flow, Constraint (applied), General Flow Diagram Flow or Swimlane