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A Message defines a particular communication between Lifelines of an Interaction, such as raising a Signal, invoking an Operation, or creating or destroying an Instance. Messages specify the kind of communication, the sender, and the receiver.

A Message is represented by arrows between the lifelines. The style of the Message line and arrowhead reflect the types of the Message.

Example of Message in Sequence diagram    Example of Message in Communication diagram


You can see the description of a selected property in the description area of the Specification window. To see descriptions, be sure the Show Description option is selected.

Message sorts


Message Sort

DescriptionExample
synchCall

The Message was generated by a synchronous call to an Operation. Synchronous Messages can overtake each other. When a Message represents an Operation, the arguments of the Message must correspond to the parameters of the Operation.

asynchCallAsynchronous means that the caller continues immediately after the call. asynchCall Messages do not have reply Messages.
asynchSignalThe Message was generated by an asynchronous send Action. The argument of the Message must correspond to the attributes of the Signal.
replyA reply Message to an Operation call.
createMessageThe Message designates the creation of another Lifeline object. No other Messages on a given Lifeline in an Interaction operand may appear above a Lifeline.
deleteMessageThe Message designates the termination of another Lifeline.


Message syntax

The Message name is displayed on the message path on the diagram pane. The syntax of the message name is as follows:

<messageident> ::= [<attribute> '='] <signal or operation name> ['(' [<argument> [','

<argument>]* ')'] [':' <return value>]

<argument> ::= ([<parameter name> '='] <argument-value>) / '-'

Tip
titleExample

 v=fo(P1="a", P2=True):12


Common actions with Messages

To set an action type for a Message

Do one of the following:
  • In the Message Specification window, click the Message Sort property value cell and select the action type from the drop-down list.
  • On the diagram pane, right-click the Message and select a desired action type from the shortcut menu.


To show / hide Message numbers

  1. Right-click the diagram pane to open its shortcut menu.
  2. Then do one of the following:
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Related pages

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