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Cradle from 3SL, the complete Model Based Systems Engineering Toolsuite, specialising in requirements management, requirements capture, model based systems engineering and for systems engineering software, support and consultancy, the logical choice: Cradle from 3SL.

February 2010 [Cradle 6.1]

Model Operation Scopes

Each model is a collection of diagrams, specifications and data definitions. The diagrams and specifications are linked into a hierarchy by numbers. The specifications are also linked into a hierarchy by cross references that are created automatically whenever their diagrams are edited.

An operation can affect more than just one diagram or specification. Consider a hierarchy of diagram number eg with two functions, two child diagrams each with two functions, and a total of six specifications:

There are three scopes for all operations:

  • Symbol or Item
  • With Definition(s)
  • Hierarchy

All of these scopes may optionally include the appropriate equivalent item.

It is important to use the correct scope when manipulating parts of a model. For example, consider renumbering function number eg.2 in the diagram with number eg:

  • If the scope is Symbol, the symbol is renumbered, but its specification, child diagram and this diagram’s symbols’ specifications will still have their old numbers. This will create a disconnection between the symbol and its specification and child diagram.
  • If the scope is With Definitions, the symbol and its specification are renumbered, but not the child diagram or its specifications. This creates a disconnection between the symbol and the child diagram.
  • If the scope is Hierarchy, the symbol, its specification, child diagram and specifications are renumbered. There is no disconnection; everything remains connected.

In general it is better to use Hierarchy scope, to avoid disconnecting a model.

You can set the default scope for all of their diagram operations as a personal preference by selecting Edit → Preferences → UI Controls:

The default scope in the 3SL-supplied Cradle start-up files is With Definitions, so the default scope for all model manipulations does not affect the hierarchy of diagrams.

Using a scope of Hierarchy is preferable, but the larger the scope, the greater is the number of database items that are affected.