Quick Linker Definition Format [EA User Guide]

A Quick Linker definition is a text file consisting of records terminated by new-line characters. Each record must consist of 23 comma-separated fields, as defined by the table below. The values of each field must not be in "quotes". A Quick Linker definition can include comments: all lines which begin with "//" are ignored by Enterprise Architect.

Each record of the Quick Linker definition represents a single entry on the Quick Link menu. Some fields define the menu command; some fields can be thought of as filters, with the entry being ignored if the filter condition isn't met.

A Quick Linker definition has the following fields.

Column

Field

Description

Source Element Type

The row is ignored unless a link is being dragged away from this type of element.

Source Stereotype Filter

If set, the row is ignored unless a link is being dragged away from an element with this stereotype.

Target Element Type

If set, the row is ignored unless a link is being dragged onto this type of element.

If blank, the row is ignored unless a link is being dragged onto an empty piece of diagram.

Target Stereotype Filter

If set and Target Element Type also set, the row is ignored unless a link is being dragged onto an element with this stereotype.

Diagram Filter

Contains either an inclusive or exclusive list of diagrams, which limits the diagrams the given kind of link can be included on.

Each diagram name is terminated by a semi-colon. Excluded diagram names are preceded by an exclamation mark.

Example of an inclusive list: Collaboration;Object;Custom;

Example of an Exclusive list: !Sequence;

New Element Type

If set and Create Element also set, results in the creation of an element of this type.

New Element Stereotype

If set and Create Element also set, results in the creation of an element with this stereotype.

New Link Type

If set and Create Link also set, results in the creation of a link of this type.

New Link Stereotype

If set and Create Link also set, results in the creation of a link with this stereotype.

New Link Direction

Can be:

·	directed (always creates an association from source to target)

·	from (always creates an association from target to source)

·	undirected (always creates an association with unspecified direction)

·	bidirectional (always creates a bi-directional association), or

·	to (creates either a directed or undirected association, depending on the value of the Association Direction option).

Note: Not all of the above work with all connector types; for example, you cannot create a bi-directional generalization.

New Link Caption

If a new link is being created but not a new element, then this is the text that appears on the context menu.

New Link & Element Caption

If a new link AND a new element are being created, then this is the text that appears on the context menu.

Create Link

If set to TRUE, results in creation of a new link; otherwise should be left blank.

Create Element

If set to TRUE the row is ignored unless a link is being dragged onto an empty piece of diagram and results in creation of a new element; otherwise should be left blank.

This overrides the values of Target Element Type and Target Stereotype Filter.

Disallow Self connector

Should be set to TRUE if self connectors are invalid for this kind of link; otherwise should be left blank.

Exclusive to ST Filter +
No inherit from Metatype

If set to TRUE, indicates that elements of type Source Element Type with the stereotype Source Stereotype Filter do not display the QuickLink definitions of the equivalent unstereotyped element.

Menu Group

If set, indicates the name of a sub-menu in which a menu item is created.

Complexity Level:

Not implemented, always set to 0.

Target Must Be Parent

If set to TRUE this menu item only appears when dragging from a child element to its parent; for example from a port to its containing class.

Embed element

If set to TRUE the element being created is embedded in the target element; otherwise should be left blank.

Precedes Separator LEAF

If set to TRUE results in a menu separator being added to the QuickLink menu; otherwise should be left blank.

Precedes Separator GROUP

If set to TRUE results in a menu separator being added to the QuickLink sub-menu; otherwise should be left blank.

Dummy Column

Depending on which spreadsheet application you use, this column might require a value in every cell to force CSV export to work correctly with trailing blank values.