Changing the Database Schema Layout

The first time you open a database with ObjectStore Inspector, the program shows the Main Schema Layout in a Database Window and automatically assigns a default position to all the classes and relations in the schema. The layout of classes and relations can be modified as follows:

Class position

Classes can be moved freely in the Schema Pane.

To change the position of a class:

Select the class in the Schema Pane.

Drag it to the desired position.

Relation position

For all notation types, the relations are represented by Bezier curves.

Each Bezier curve features four points: the starting point, the ending point and two attractor points.

When a relation is selected, the four points are represented by gray squares that can be dragged to new positions.

The starting and ending points of a curve cannot be moved out of the corresponding class (out of the corresponding member variable area).

To change the position of a relation:

Select the relation.

Click on the black square of a drag point.

Drag it to the desired position.

Selecting a relation

The procedure for selecting a relation depends on the relation type and the notation used.

Usually, you select a relation by clicking on the relation label. If the relation does not have a label, as in OMT notation, you select it by clicking on one of the relation ends.

To select a relation using OMT notation

Click on the circle which is displayed at the end of the Bezier curve.

One-to-one relations in OMT notation do not have circles at the ends.

To select a one-to-one relation in OMT notation

Click near one of the ends of the Bezier curve.

To select a relation in Booch notation

Click on a relation label (yellow boxes) or on the relation ends.

To select a relation in Coad-Yourdon notation

Click on a relation label (yellow boxes).

To select a relation in Statecharts notation

Click on a relation label (yellow boxes).

Note:

In Coad-Yourdon notation inheritance relations are represented in this way:

while in OMT notation they are represented like this:

To change the position of the Bezier lines representing inheritance relations in Coad-Yourdon or OMT:

Click on the inheritance symbol and drag it to the desired position;

or

Click on the inheritance symbol;

Click on the black square of a drag point;

Drag it to the desired position.

Customizing the Instance Representation

Changing the Database SchemaLayout

Tutorial: Changing the Database Schema Notation

Tutorial: Using Database Views

Tutorial: Using Abstraction Functions

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