Creating a MetaClass (Object Type)
To create a MetaClass in the metamodel diagram:
1. In the metamodel diagram insert toolbar, click Concrete , then click in the diagram.
2. Enter the Name of the MetaClass.
*For information regarding naming, see Concept names.
3. Click Create.
The MetaClass is created.
*At creation some characteristics are automatically created (e.g. : “Absolute identifier”, “Creator Name”, “Creation Date”).
To access the MetaClass properties:
*Right-click the MetaClass and select Properties.
The MetaClass Properties window opens.
Restricting the names of object types
Characters that can be used in object names are subject to the same restrictions as concept names.
By default, names are in upper/lower case, and are limited to 255 characters.
The names are stored the way they are entered. However, the system verifies that once the name is converted into uppercase and stripped of any accents, it is not already in use. For instance, for objects of the same type, objects “SMith” and “Smith” are considered to be identical.
This configuration is carried out in the MetaClass Properties window > Name Constraint tab.
For each MetaClass, you can specify:
• Maximum name length: Name Length
*_NameLength must be equal to or greater than 16.
• Systematic name conversion: Name Case Sensitivity
• to uppercase: U (Upper)
• to lowercase: L (Lower)
• no conversion: I (Ignore)
• Illegal characters:
• for first character: Name First Char Exclude
• for characters 2 to n-1: Name Current Char Exclude
• for character n: Name Last Char Exclude
For each MetaClass, you can add to the list of authorized characters:
• for first character: Name First Char Include
• for characters 2 to n-1: Name Current Char Include
• for character n: Name Last Char Include
*It is recommended that you do not add to authorized characters for MetaClasses other than technical. Correct operation of query and execution of descriptors is not guaranteed for objects with added characters.