3.2.10 Connectables and ports
Object symbols can have many Connectables, and these are
distinguished by having different ports, but each of them must have a unique
identifier, provided by ports. Connectables thus serve as target areas for ports
in object symbols. (Relationship symbols can have only one connectable, the
default. If you try to create more than one, you will be prevented and a warning
dialog will be shown.)
A typical requirement for an object type with several
ports is that its symbol should define a separate connection for each port.
Rather than enclosing the whole symbol, these Connectables normally enclose a
small part of the symbol: e.g. one edge, or a visible ‘plug’ on the
edge of the symbol.
To attach a port to a connectable:
| 1) | Open
the Format Dialog for the connectable and go to the Connectable tab (see
Figure
3–13). |
| 2) | In
the Port(s) list, press the right mouse button to open the pop-up
menu. |
| 3) | Choose
Add... if you want to create and add a new port. This will open the
property dialog in which you can enter the values for the new port (see Section
2.1.8 for more information on how port
property values can be used as
constraints). |
If you want to add an
existing port, choose Add Existing.... A list of existing port instances
will be shown and you can pick the one you want.
