derive the model

Overview

With Next Design, you can not only handle various models related to design target software in one project, By creating a new model using an existing model as input, trace information between models is automatically recorded. It saves you the trouble of adding trace information later.

The design act of creating a new model using an existing model as input is called model derivation.

The metamodel definition and model derivation required for model derivation are described below in the following order.

1. Derivation relationships are defined in the metamodel so that the [component structure model] can be derived from the [use case model].
2. Derive [Component Configuration Model] from [Use Case Model]
3. Add trace information between existing models

Derivation related definition image

Image of model derivation and tracing

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1. Define derivation relationships in the metamodel

To derive the [Component Structure Model] from the [Use Case Model] and connect trace lines, define the derived relationships between the entities using the following procedure.

1. Define the metamodel and view of the [component structure model] to be derived
2. Define derived relationships between entities in the Use Case Model and the Component Structure Model

1.1 Define a metamodel and view of the component structure model

Define the meta model of [Component structure model] to be derived with reference to the following class diagram.

Operation procedure

• Please refer to Quick Start > Profile Definition > Define Metamodel above for the procedure.

Define the diagram view of [Component structure model] referring to the following screen image.

Operation procedure

• Please refer to Quick Start > Profile Definition > Define Diagram View above for the procedure.

1.2 Defining derived relationships between use cases and components

To define derived relationships between entities in the [Use Case Model] and [Component Structure Model], use class diagrams to define them in the same way as defining reference relationships.

Let's create a new class diagram that defines derived associations and only shows the associated entities.

Deriving Entity	Deriving Entity
component structure model > component	use case model > use case

Operation procedure

1. Add a class diagram to your profile and enter the name Derived Association Diagram.
2. Add existing entities with derived relationships from the Profile Navigator to the class diagram.
3. Connect a derivation relationship from the deriving entity to the deriving entity.
4. Now that you have defined derived relationships, you can derive models and add trace lines.

Now we have defined a [use case model] metamodel with [Actor] and [use case] as components, and a derivable [component structure model] metamodel.

2. Deriving components from use cases

To derive a new model using an existing model as input and trace information, proceed as follows:

1. Display two models side by side
2. Create a model using the components of the input model

2.1 Displaying two models side by side

add model

Add the [Component structure model] to be edited from the model navigator in the same way as when adding the [Use case model].

• Model to be edited: [Modeling sample] > [Design model] > [Component structure model]

  

Operation procedure

1. First, right-click the project displayed at the top of the model navigator, and select Click [Add Model] > [Design Model] from the context menu to Add Design Model to the first level.
2. Right-click the added [Design Model] and select Click [Add Model] > [Component Structure Model] from the context menu to Add a model to edit.
3. When you add a model in the model navigator, it will be displayed in the main editor and ready for editing.

Show model in sub-editor

Follow the steps below to display the sub-editor on the right side of the screen and display the [UseCase Model] used as input for model creation.

Operation procedure

1. Click View > Pane > Sub Editor on the ribbon.
2. Select [Input (Deep Blue)] from the [Switch display mode] pull-down list at the top of the sub-editor.
3. Select [Use Case Model] from the pull-down list that is additionally displayed on the right.
4. Click [View] > [Pane] > [Swap Left and Right] on the ribbon if you want to swap the positions of the sub-editor and the main editor.

2.2 Create a model using the components of the input model

To derive a new model with an existing model as input and trace information, drag and drop the components of the input model as follows.

Operation procedure

1. Move the pointer over an existing model component and drag the [+] icon that appears in the upper right corner.
2. When dropped on a derived model, it adds a component to the model and also adds a trace line representing the derived relationship between the models.

3. Add trace information between existing models

To add trace information between existing model components, drop it on the [○] icon that appears in the upper left of the target model component.

Operation procedure

1. Move the pointer over an existing model component and drag the [+] icon that appears in the upper right corner.
2. Drop it on the [○] icon displayed in the upper left of the existing model to which you want to associate the derived association.
3. Dropping adds trace lines representing derived relationships between existing model components.