Activity Parameter Node

Description

Activity Parameter Nodes are object nodes at the beginning and end of the flows that are used to accept inputs and provide outputs from activities.

Creating an Activity Parameter Node

To create an Activity Parameter Node

1. In the Activity diagram palette, click the arrow next to the Object Node button to expand the list, then select Activity Parameter Node.
2. Click the Activity diagram frame. The Activity Parameter Node is created, and its shortcut menu opens.
3. Select Edit New Parameter to specify the parameter. The Parameter dialog opens.
4. Specify the parameter, and click Close.
   
   

The parameter for the Activity Parameter Node is created automatically.
The parameter name, type, and multiplicity are synchronized with the pin or Object Node from which/to which the Object Flow was created. The direction of the parameter is set according to the Object Flow direction, otherwise you can set it manually by simply right-clicking the activity parameter and selecting the preferred direction.

When creating an Activity Parameter Node on a diagram frame, click on the diagram frame to open the menu. In the menu, the following Activity Parameter Nodes are listed: 

• • parameters that are not displayed on the diagram frame.  
  • parameters that are owned by the same activity as the activity diagram. 
  • parameters that have assigned parameters that are also owned by the same activity.

If a parameter with an inout direction is selected for the Activity Parameter Node creation, then two Activity Parameter Nodes are created on the diagram frame.

Specifying Activity Parameter Node type

Once the Activity Parameter Node is created, you can specify its type. Use one of the following ways:

• Using the Specify Type button.
• Using the Specification window.

To specify Activity Parameter Node type by using the Specify Type button

1. Select the Activity Parameter Node shape.
2. Click on the smart manipulator toolbar.
3. Do one of the following:
    - Select an existing element from the Select Type menu.
    - Create a new type:
           a. Type a name.
           b. Press Enter.
           c. In the Create <type name> As dialog, select the element kind.
   The type is specified for an Activity Parameter Node.

To specify Activity Parameter Node type by using the Specification window

1. Right-click the Activity Parameter Node and select the Specification command.
2. In the Specification window, select the Type property value cell.
3. Do one of the following:
    - Select an existing element from the list.
    - Click and in the Select Element dialog do the following:
            - Select an existing element from the Tree or List tab.
            - create a new element by switching on the Creation Mode and clicking the Create button.
4. Click Close.
   The type is specified for an Activity Parameter Node.

Setting the direction of an Activity Parameter Node

To set the direction of an Activity Parameter Node

1. Right-click the Activity Parameter Node on the diagram and select Specification.
2. In the Parameter property group, click to expand the Direction options drop-down menu.
3. Select the preferred direction and click Close.

Displaying Activity Parameter Nodes

You can display Activity Parameter Nodes on the frame of the Activity diagram when you are:

• Creating a new Activity diagram.
• Modifying a pre-existing Activity diagram.

To display Activity Parameter Nodes when creating a new Activity diagram

1. When creating a new Activity diagram for an Activity element that contains Activity Parameter Nodes, the Select Parameters dialog will open automatically.
   

2. In the opened Select Parameters dialog, select the parameters that you want to display, and click OK.
   Selected Activity Parameter Nodes are displayed on the frame of the Activity diagram.
   

   If you want all Activity Parameter Nodes to be displayed automatically when creating a new Activity diagram, go to Options > Project on the main menu, and set the Display All Activity Parameter Nodes in Diagrams option to true.
   

To display Activity Parameter Nodes on the frame in a pre-existing Activity diagram

1. Select the Activity diagram pane.
2. Open the Select Parameters dialog by performing one of the following steps:
    - From the shortcut menu, select Display > Display Parameter Nodes.
    - On the diagram toolbar, click and select Display Parameter Nodes.
   
   

3. In the dialog, select the parameters you want to display, and click OK.
   
   The selected Activity Parameter Nodes are displayed on the frame of the Activity diagram.
   

Displaying or hiding the direction of an Activity Parameter Node

To display or hide the direction of an Activity Parameter Node

1. Right-click the Activity Parameter Node on the diagram, and select Symbol Properties.
2. In the Symbol Properties dialog, click to select or clear the Show Direction check box to display or hide the direction.
3. Click Close.