Chapter 3 Building Structural Diagrams

Creating generic types

PowerDesigner allows you to designate classes and interfaces as generic types.

You define a list of type variables that will be used as datatypes for attributes, method parameters, or return types. PowerDesigner requires the existence of a bound class to create a generalization, realization, or association.

You then bind a classifier to the generic type via this intermediate bound class, and specify the actual types to be used in place of the required type variables.

To designate a class or interface as a generic type:

1. Open the property sheet of the class or interface, and select Generic from the Type list on the General tab. The Generic tab will be automatically displayed, and a type variable created in the list in the tab.
2. Click the Generic tab, and add any additional type variables that you require with the Add a Row tool. You can also specify a derivation constraint in the form of a list of types.
3. Click OK to return to the diagram. The classifier symbol will now display the type variables on its top-left corner.
   

In order for the classifier to become a true generic type, it must contain at least one generic method.

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