A node is a run-time physical object on which components
may be deployed. In the UML metamodel it is a sub-class of
Classifier.
A node is represented on a class diagram as a three dimensional box, labeled with its name.
The details tabs that are active for nodes are as follows.
ToDoItemStandard tab.
PropertiesSee Section 23.2.2, “ Node Property Toolbar ” and Section 23.2.3, “ Property Fields For Node ” below.
DocumentationStandard tab.
PresentationStandard tab. The
Bounds:field defines the bounding box for the node on the diagram.![[Warning]](images/warning.png)
Warning Beware that in the 0.18 release of ArgoUML, the bounding box just refers to the front face of the cube. This means that the three dimensional top and side may be ignored, for example when determining the limits of a diagram for saving graphics.
SourceStandard tab, but with no contents.
![[Caution]](images/caution.png)
Caution A node should not generate any code, so having this tab active is probably a mistake.
Tagged ValuesStandard tab. In the UML metamodel,
Nodehas the following standard tagged values defined.persistence(from the superclass,Classifier). Valuestransitory, indicating state is destroyed when an instance is destroyed orpersistent, marking state is preserved when an instance is destroyed.semantics(from the superclass,Classifier). The value is a specification of the semantics of the node.derived(from the superclass,ModelElement). Valuestrue, meaning the node is redundant -it can be formally derived from other elements, orfalsemeaning it cannot.![[Note]](images/note.png)
Note Derived nodes still have their value in analysis to introduce useful names or concepts, and in design to avoid re-computation.
Note The UML
Elementmetaclass from which all other model elements are derived includes the tagged elementdocumentationwhich is handled by the documentation tab under ArgoUML
Go upNavigate up through the package structure.
New receptionThis creates a new reception, navigating immediately to the properties tab for that reception.
New StereotypeThis creates a new Stereotype (see Section 16.6, “ Stereotype ”) for the selected node, navigating immediately to the properties tab for that stereotype.
DeleteThis deletes the node from the model
Warning This is a deletion from the model not just the diagram. To delete a node from the diagram, but keep it within the model, use the main menu
Remove From Diagram(or press the Delete key).
NameText box. The name of the node. The name of a node has a leading capital letter, with words separated by “bumpy caps”.
Note ArgoUML does not enforce this naming convention.
StereotypeDrop down selector. Node is a type of classifier, and so it has the default stereotypes of a classifier as defined in the UML standard. ArgoUML provides the standard stereotypes for a classifier:
metaclass,powertype,process,threadandutility.Navigate Stereotype
icon. If a stereotype has been selected, this will
navigate to the stereotype property panel (see
Section 16.6, “
Stereotype
”).NamespaceDrop down selector. Allows altering the namespace for the node. This is the package hierarchy.
ModifiersCheck box, with entries
abstract,leafandroot.abstractis used to declare that this node cannot be instantiated, but must always be specialized. The name of an abstract node is displayed in italics on the diagram.leafindicates that this node cannot be further specialized.rootindicates the node can have no generalization.
GeneralizationsText area. Lists any node that generalizes this node.
Button 1 double click navigates to the generalization and opens its property tab.
SpecializationsText box. Lists any specialized node (i.e. for which this node is a generalization.
Button 1 double click navigates to the specialization and opens its property tab.
ResidentsText box. Lists any residents (see Section 23.4, “ Component ”) designed to be deployed on this type of node.
Button 1 double click navigates to the selected entry.