EA - MEGA Architecture on HOPEX > Getting Started > Using Diagrams > Creating a message
Creating a message
+ We recommend the use of BPMN flows, but the use of messages remains available with a compatibility option. For more details, see: Managing Message Options Messages.
In a diagram, a message is described by:
• A route, which indicates its sender and its receiver.
• A content, which represents the objects or information that transit from message sender to receiver. This content can be reused in several messages.
There are two ways of creating messages. You can:
• create your messages while connecting them to the sender and recipient.
• create your messages first and then connect them to the sender and recipient.
Creating messages while connecting them
To create your messages while connecting them to the sender and recipient:
1. In the diagram objects toolbar, click Message .
2. Select the sender (external org-unit, application or database) and drag the cursor to the recipient object before releasing the mouse button.
The Add Message dialog box opens, in which you enter the name of the content used by the message.
3. Enter the message content name and click OK.
*By default the message carries the same name as its content.
*When the message content already exists in the MEGA repository , the Content already exists message is displayed at the bottom of the dialog box. Click on OK to use this content. Otherwise, modify the message name in the Name field and click OK, to create a new content for this message.
Note that the message is automatically placed in the middle of the line connecting the sender and recipient.
At times you may need to move messages: for example, if two objects exchange more than one message, these may overlap and you will need to move one of the messages so that both are visible.
Creating messages first and then connecting them
To create messages, and then connect them to the sender and recipient:
1. In the diagram objects toolbar, click Message .
2. Click in the diagram where you want to see it appear.
The Add Message dialog box opens, in which you enter the name of the content used by the message.
3. Enter the message content name and click OK.
To create each link:
1. In the diagram objects toolbar, click Link .
2. Select the source object (sender or information flow) and drag the cursor to the target object (information flow or recipient).
Below the “Boat Reservation” message is sent by the “Representation Office” to the “Boat Renting Agency”.
When an information flow (message) has several senders and recipients, you can create it using the first technique and then connect it to the other senders and/or recipients using the second.
An information flow may have special characteristics that impact how often or when it is sent. In this case, a Timer that you connect to the corresponding information flow allows you to indicate this characteristic.