An action state represents execution of an atomic action,
usually the invocation of an action. Within the UML metamodel,
ActionState is a sub-class of
SimpleState. It is a specialized simple state that
only has an entry action, and with an implicit trigger as soon
as that action is completed.
![[Caution]](images/caution.png) | Caution |
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As a consequence any outgoing transitions from an action state should not have explicit triggers defined (ArgoUML will not currently check for this). They may have guards to provide a choice where there is more than one transition. |
![[Note]](images/note.png) | Note |
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Unlike an ordinary state, an internal transition, an exit action and a Do activity are not permitted for action states. |
An action state is represented on an activity diagram in ArgoUML as a rectangle with rounded corners containing the name of the action state.
| Caution |
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The UML standard specifies that the text shown in the action state on the activity diagram should contain the expression associated with the entry action - which is implemented as such since ArgoUML V0.18. In past versions of ArgoUML (0.16.1 and before), the diagram used to show the action state name. Loading a project created by one of the older versions, causes the project file to be converted to the correct format to conform to the UML standard. This process is designed to be transparent for the user, and the only drawback is, that the activity diagram in the project will not show correctly when reloaded in an old version of ArgoUML again. |
The details tabs that are active for action states are as follows.
ToDoItemStandard tab.
PropertiesSee Section 22.2.2, “ Action State Property ToolBar ” and Section 22.2.3, “ Property fields for action state ” below.
DocumentationStandard tab.
PresentationStandard tab. The values for the bounds of the action state define the bounding box of the action state.
StereotypeStandard tab that shows the stereotypes of the action state. In the UML metamodel, there are no stereotypes defined by default for a action state.
Tagged ValuesStandard tab. In the UML metamodel,
ActionStatehas no standard tagged values defined.
Go upNavigate up through the containment structure. Action states are contained by the (otherwise invisible) top state.
New StereotypeThis creates a new Stereotype (see Section 16.6, “ Stereotype ”) for the selected action state, navigating immediately to the properties tab for that stereotype.
Delete from ModelThis deletes the action state from the model
![[Warning]](images/warning.png)
Warning This is a deletion from the model not just the diagram. It is not possible to delete an action state from the diagram, since that concept does not fit the UML standard.
Hence ArgoUML does also not show the
Add to Diagrampop-up menu for action states.
NameText box. The name of the action state. By convention action state names start with a lower case letter and use bumpy caps to divide words within the name.
Note ArgoUML does not enforce this naming convention.
ContainerText box. The container of the action state. This shows the otherwise invisible composite state at the top of the containment hierarchy.
Entry-ActionText box. Shows the name of the action to be invoked on entry to this action state. According the UML standard, an Action State is obliged to have an Entry-Action.
Button 1 double-click navigates to the shown entry, button 2 gives a pop up menu with two entries.
New. Add a new Entry action of a certain kind. This menu has the following 7 submenus to select the kind of action: Call Action, Create Action, Destroy Action, Return Action, Send Action, Terminate Action, Uninterpreted Action.Delete From Model. Delete the Entry-Action.
Deferrable eventsText box. The deferrable events of the action state.
IncomingText area. Lists the transitions that enter this action state.
Button 1 double-click navigates to the selected entry.
OutgoingText area. Lists the transitions that leave this action state.
Button 1 double-click navigates to the selected entry.