Chapter 4 Extending your Models with Profiles

Dependency Matrices (Profile)

Dependency matrices allow you to review and create links between any kind of objects. You specify one metaclass (with, optionally, a stereotype) for the matrix rows, and the same or another metaclass for the columns. The cells are then calculated from a collection or link object.

For example, you could create dependency matrices that show links between:

OOM Classes and Classes – connected by Association link objects
PDM Tables and Users – connected by the Owner collection
PDM Tables and OOM Classes – connected by extended dependencies

To create a dependency matrix:

Right-click the Profile category and select Add Dependency Matrix. This adds the DependencyMatrix metaclass to the profile and creates a stereotype under it, in which you will define the matrix properties.

Enter a name for the matrix (for example "Table Owners Matrix. This name will be visible in menus in the PowerDesigner interface.

Click the Matrix Definition tab to specify the rows and columns of your matrix.

Select an object type from the current model type to populate your matrix rows and an object type from the current or another model type to populate the columns.

Specify how the rows and columns of your matrix will be associated by selecting one of the Matrix Cells radio buttons:
- Collection – select a collection from the list, which contains all standard and extended collections (but not compositions) defined between the two objects.
- Link object – select a link object from the list, which contains all the kinds of link possible between the objects.

Click OK to save your matrix and close the resource editor.

You can now create instances of the matrix in your model as follows:
- Select View→Diagram→New Diagram→ Matrix Name .
- Right-click a diagram background and select Diagram→New Diagram→Matrix Name
- Right-click the model in the browser and select New→Matrix Name