Stereotypes are the main extension mechanism of UML,
providing a way to derive specializations of the standard
metaclasses. Stereotype is a sub-class of
GeneralizableElement in the UML metamodel.
Stereotypes are supplemented by
constraints and tagged
values.
New stereotypes are added from the property tab of almost
any model element. Properties of existing stereotypes can be reached
by selecting the property tab for any model element with that
stereotype and using the navigate button (
)
within the property tab.
The details tabs that are active for stereotypes are as follows.
ToDoItemStandard tab.
PropertiesSee Section 16.6.2, “ Stereotype Property Toolbar ” and Section 16.6.3, “ Property Fields For Stereotype ” below.
DocumentationStandard tab. See Section 13.4, “ Documentation Tab ”.
StereotypeStandard tab.
![[Warning]](images/warning.png)
Warning Here you can set stereotypes of stereotypes, not a very usefull thing to do.
Tagged ValuesStandard tab. In the UML metamodel,
Stereotypehas the following standard tagged values defined.derived(from the superclass,ModelElement). Valuestrue, meaning the class is redundant -it can be formally derived from other elements, orfalsemeaning it cannot.![[Note]](images/note.png)
Note This indicates any element with this stereotype has the
derivedtag set accordingly.
![[Caution]](images/caution.png)
Caution Tagged values for a stereotype are rather different to those for elements in the UML core architecture, in that they apply to all model elements to which the stereotype is applied, not just the stereotype itself.
Go upNavigate up through the package structure of the model.
Add stereotypeThis creates a new stereotype (see Section 16.6, “ Stereotype ”) within the model (which appears on no diagram), navigating immediately to the properties tab for that stereotype.
New Tag DefinitionThis creates a new tag definition (see Section 16.7, “ Tag Definition ”) within the model (which appears on no diagram), navigating immediately to the properties tab for that tagdefinition.
DeleteThis deletes the stereotype from the model.
NameText box. The name of the stereotype. There is no convention for naming stereotypes, beyond starting them with a lower case letter. Even the standard UML stereotypes vary between all lower case (e.g.
metamodel), bumpy caps (e.g.systemModel) and space separated (e.g.object model).Note ArgoUML does not enforce any naming convention for stereotypes
Base ClassDrop down selector. Any stereotype must be derived from one of the metaclasses in the UML metamodel or the model element classes that derive from them. The stereotype will then be available to model elements that derive from that same metaclass or that model element.
NamespaceDrop down selector with navigation button. Records the namespace for the stereotype. This is the package hierarchy.
ModifiersCheck box, with entries
Abstract,LeafandRoot.Abstractis used to declare that model elements that use this stereotype cannot be instantiated, but must always be specialized.Leafindicates that model elements that use this stereotype can have no further sub-types, whileRootindicates it is a top level model element.
Caution Remember that these modifiers apply to the model elements using the stereotype, not just the stereotype.
Warning ArgoUML neither imposes, nor checks that model elements using a stereotype adopt the stereotype's modifiers.
VisibilityRadio box, with entries
public,private,protected, andpackage.Records the visibility for the stereotype.
GeneralizationsText area. Lists any stereotype that generalizes this stereotype.
SpecializationsText area. Lists any specialized stereotype (i.e. for which this stereotype is a generalization.
Tag DefinitionsText area. Lists any tag definitions that are defined for this stereotype.
Extended ElementsText area. Lists all modelelements that are stereotyped by this stereotype.