{"id":1958,"date":"2017-06-27T09:23:59","date_gmt":"2017-06-27T08:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.threesl.com\/blog\/?p=1958"},"modified":"2017-06-27T09:23:59","modified_gmt":"2017-06-27T08:23:59","slug":"link-rules-getting-started","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.threesl.com\/blog\/link-rules-getting-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started with Link Rules in Cradle"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Are Link Rules?<\/h2>\n

Link rules<\/em> are used in Cradle<\/em> as a way of defining constraints for cross reference<\/em> operations within a project. They specify who can manipulate cross references<\/em>, the link types<\/em> that can be used, between what types of item, and which items of these types. This guide to getting started with link rules will help first time users understand the concepts.<\/p>\n

The level of detail for each link rule can vary as required for your project’s needs. On one hand they can be very simplistic, allowing links of any link type<\/em> between all item types<\/em>. On the other hand they can be more detailed and specific, allowing links between different item types, models and individual item identities.<\/p>\n

Throughout this blog post, and future posts, we will explore the Link Rule Setup<\/em> dialog. These posts will cover the different options available and the result this will have on cross references between items in your project.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Getting started with Link Rules<\/h2>\n

How to Access the Link Rule Setup Dialog<\/h3>\n

Link rules<\/em> can be viewed in the Cross Reference Parameters<\/em> section of Project Setup<\/em>. They are created and modified in the Link Rule Setup<\/em> dialog.<\/p>\n

To access Link Rule Setup<\/em>, first open Project Setup<\/em>. This is found in the Project<\/em> tab in WorkBench<\/em>. Once opened select Cross Reference Parameters<\/em> from the Options:<\/em> menu and then select the Link Rules<\/em> tab. Finally, the Link Rule Setup<\/em> dialog can be displayed by selecting either ‘Add..<\/em><\/strong>.’\u00a0 or ‘Edit…<\/strong>‘.<\/p>\n

\"How
The Link Rules Section of Project Setup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overview of Link Rule Setup<\/h2>\n

Now we know that link rules can be created and edited from the Cross Reference Paramaters > Link Rules<\/em> section of Project Setup<\/em>, it is time to look at Link Rule Setup<\/em> itself.<\/p>\n

Clicking the Add…<\/strong> button on the right side of Project Setup<\/em> the Link Rules Setup<\/em> dialog will appear.<\/p>\n

\"Select
Select the Add… Button to Create Link Rules<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Link Rule Number<\/h3>\n

The link rule number<\/em> is located in the top left of the Link Rule Setup<\/em> dialog. It is essentially the link rule’s<\/em> identity<\/strong>. Using the DEMO project, or your own project with the Default<\/em> schema, 41<\/strong> link rules already exist, hence link rule 42<\/strong> is created.<\/p>\n

\"Location
Location of the Link Rule Number<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you are using an empty schema, or your own schema, the link rule number will be one greater than the number of current\u00a0 link rules.<\/p>\n

Purpose<\/h3>\n

The Purpose:<\/strong> field can be used to enter a description of the rule you are creating. This is completely optional and can be left blank if desired.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Link Rule Setup Purpose Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Link Rule is Enabled<\/h3>\n

This option, when selected, enables the link rule<\/em>. It is checked by default.<\/p>\n

\"Option
Enable Link Rule Check Box<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If Matched, This Rule<\/h3>\n

Is the link rule you are creating going to allow<\/em><\/strong> the operation or prevent<\/strong> the operation?<\/p>\n

\"If
If Matched, this Rule Either Allows or Prevents the Operation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rule Applies to User<\/h3>\n

From this drop down menu it is possible to select a specific User<\/em> the rule applies to. If it doesn’t apply to a particular User, <all><\/strong> can be set which is the default value.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Rule
From the Menu Select Which User the Rule Applies to<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/blockquote>\n

From Items of Type<\/h3>\n

This drop down menu allows you to select any item type in your project. This will set it as the item type you want the link rule to go from<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em>In the DEMO project Requirement<\/em> is set by default. There is also an option for <any><\/strong> which means the rule will go from<\/em> <\/strong>all item types.<\/p>\n

\""".<\/p\"<\/p>\n

Whose Model matches<\/h3>\n

If you have selected domain\/model-related information the you can choose which model the from <\/strong><\/em>item belongs to. To do this select the Folder<\/em> icon at the end of the Whose Model Matches:<\/strong> field.<\/p>\n

\"Choose
Choose the from item’s Model<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Selecting the Folder<\/em> icon will open the Choose Model<\/em> dialog.<\/p>\n

\"Choose
Choose Model Dialog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Diagram Type<\/h3>\n

If you have selected a diagram and model, the Diagram Type:<\/strong> menu becomes active. Select the diagram type you wish to use or choose <all><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"From
From Diagram Type Menu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Matches<\/h3>\n

If Whose Model matches<\/em> is set to either a SysML<\/em> model or a UPDM<\/em> model you can choose whether a stereotype:<\/p>\n