Name Synchronisation

The diagrams and specifications in a model are linked by their numbers. This use of numbers eliminates the need that otherwise exists for the adjustment of (for example) function names to create unique names at multiple points in a particular model, or multiple models.

When users rename a diagram, symbol or specification, the names of corresponding items need to be consistent. So renaming a diagram should change the names of the diagram’s equivalent specification and its symbol in the parent diagrams. Similarly, renaming a diagram symbol should also rename the symbol’s child diagram and its specification.

Cradle automatically performs this name synchronisation, transparently renaming diagrams, diagram symbols and specifications to maintain consistency. This feature is controlled by a user preference accessed by selecting Tools → Customise → UI Control → Editors:

Name synchronisation is enabled by default in the as-supplied 3SL start-up files.

Name synchronisation is transparent to the user. It is applied when a diagram or specification is opened or saved in editors. When an item is opened, its name is pulled from the database and any active editor sessions. When an item is saved, its name is pushed to the database and any active editor sessions. This way, all items’ names are kept consistent.

Cradle-5.2.1 includes new warning messages produced if name synchronisation encounters a problem renaming a diagram, symbol or specification, such as:

• The user does not have RW access to the item to be renamed
• The user does have RW access to the item, but it is currently locked by another user

For example:

This message indicates that a name synchronisation operation did not complete:

1. Behaviour diagram number myfunc.3 and name function C could not be renamed as the user does not have RW access to it. This could happen if it is owned by:
   • A user in another team, or
   • A user in the same team but the current user does not have the TEAM_USER_RW privilege enabled in his/her user profile, as we recommend in the previous section
2. Specification number myfunc.3 and name function C could not be renamed as some other user is currently editing it and has it locked in the database.

If the model is partitioned and access rights and ownerships are set correctly, users should not see these warnings when building models. The messages will provide explanations of any name synchronisation issues that may arise.

If name synchronisation is active, Cradle-5.2.1 automatically saves diagrams when symbols are added or renamed, without the user needing to save manually. This means that name synchronisation occurs as soon as a symbol is drawn or renamed, eliminating any confusion that might otherwise occur when a symbol is renamed but the corresponding items are only renamed when the user saves the diagram later.

This new feature is a checkbox in the Diagram Editor’s Name Symbol and Rename Symbol dialogues, for example: