File Object Properties

To view or edit a file object's properties, double-click its diagram symbol or Browser or list entry. The property sheet tabs and fields listed here are those available by default, before any customization of the interface by you or an administrator.

Property

Description

Name/Code/Comment

Identify the object. The name should clearly convey the object's purpose to non-technical users, while the code, which is used for generating code or scripts, may be abbreviated, and should not normally include spaces. You can optionally add a comment to provide more detailed information about the object. By default the code is generated from the name by applying the naming conventions specified in the model options. To decouple name-code synchronization, click to release the = button to the right of the Code field.

Stereotype

Extends the semantics of the object beyond the core UML definition. You can enter a stereotype directly in this field, or add stereotypes to the list by specifying them in an extension file.

Location type

Specifies the nature of the file object. You can choose from the following:
  • Embedded file – the file is stored within the model and is saved when you save the model. If you subsequently change the type to external, you will be warned that the existing contents will be lost.

  • External file – the file is stored in the Windows file system, and you must enter its path in the Location field. If you subsequently change the type to embedded, you will be prompted to import the contents of the file into the model.

  • URL – the file is on the web and you must enter its URL in the Location field

Location

[External and URL types only] Specifies the path or URL to the file.

Extension

Specifies the extension of the file object, which is used to associate it with an editor. By default, the extension is set to txt.

Generate

Specifies to generate the file object when you generate the model to another model.

Artifact

Specifies that the file object is not a piece of documentation, but rather forms an integral part of the application.

If an artifact has an extension that is defined in the Editors page in the General Options dialog linked to the <internal> editor, a Contents tab is displayed in the artifact property sheet, which allows you to edit the artifact file in the PowerDesigner text editor.

Keywords

Provide a way of loosely grouping objects through tagging. To enter multiple keywords, separate them with commas.