Stereotypes

UML defines a concept called a stereotype, which is how you can extend an existing metaclass. This allows you to create new notation that can add to or replace existing elements. In order to create a stereotype in Gaphor, first you need to create a Profile. A profile is a collection of stereotypes. Next a Diagram can be created within the profile. Although a diagram in Gaphor can accept any type of element, by convention, the profile diagram should only contain items that are useful within a profile:

• Classes, which will function as a <<metaclass>>.

• Stereotype, which will be defined as <<stereotype>>.

• Extensions, connecting metaclasses and stereotypes.

Comment, Association, Generalization, and Dependency can also be used within a profile diagram, just like other UML diagrams.

Some things to keep in mind when working with profiles:

• Profiles are reusable and its common to share them across different models.

• A stereotype can only be owned by a profile, it can not be in a normal Package.

• In order to make use of a stereotype, Gaphor has to perform a lookup if the MetaClass it is extended from is part of the model.

• A stereotype can contain an image, which can be used instead of its name.

• Profiles should be saved with the model too. It should also be possible to “update” a profile within a model.

• Stereotypes that you define should be instantiated in your model when you create a stereotyped class.