duplicate is a data element in the repository that is considered a duplicate based on a number of properties. Duplicates can occur with concepts that can be divided into elements and relationships. Elements Elements are actually the blocks on a diagram with certain properties within a modeling language and an appearance. Duplications can be considered the same based on these characteristics:

• Name of the element (possibly based on missing punctuation marks)
• Version number
• Modelling language and Object type within the language. Also referred to as a stereotype.

Relationships Relationships or connectors are actually the connecting lines on a diagram with certain properties within a modeling language and an appearance. Duplicate relationships can be considered the same based on these characteristics:

• Name of the relationship or cardinalities of the start and end points of the connectors
• Version number
• Modelling language and Object type within the language. Also referred to as stereotype

Details van Duplicate

In addition to review, the models must be validated. This involves checking whether the modeling conventions and metamodels have been applied correctly.

Details van Support model validation

Deduplication is an operation on the contents of the repository that searches for duplicates of elements and relationships. It is then determined which element is considered original in the new situation and the other elements with the same characteristics are considered duplicates. Deduplication is then carried out consisting of a number of actions:

• Merging the contents of the elements
• Merging the relationships
• Updating the diagrams to point to the original
• Renaming and isolating the duplicates
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This is a repetitive task that fortunately can be easily automated within, for example, Sparx Enterprise Architect.

Details van Deduplicate

When developing models and expanding the model by adding new elements in diagrams, introducing a duplicate is a risk. The toolbox is always close by in a diagram and searching in advance to see whether a concept already exists in the repository is often regarded as an extra step in the modeling process. Early detection of the emergence of a duplicate is therefore desirable and can fortunately be automated relatively easily in modeling tools such as Sparx Enterprise Architect.

Details van Detect duplicate

The IDEA AddOn is an open source AddOn to support modeling activities within Sparx Enterprise architect. The IDEA AddOn offers functionalities that are missed in the standard functionalities of Sparx Enterprise Architect. Particularly for architectural modeling and aspects of an architecture repository, a number of functionalities are present in this IDEA AddOn.

Details van IDEA AddOn