Syntax

All diagrams begin and end with a predefined keyword @start-X and end-X. X is substituted with the unique identifier of the type of diagram.

The basic syntax is as follows:

operator identifier (for definitions)

operator identifier operand (for relations)

The operators represent the type of the element or relation. The identifier has to be specified and be unique within the diagram. The operands are the elements involved in the operation.

Keywords are used to identify the types of elements as well as relations, for example the keywords asc for associations, agg for aggregations and com for compositions. Further keywords are listed on the respecitve diagrams page or in the index.

Bracket structures define connected constructs. Round brackets define methods or linked operands of a relation. Square brackets are used after operands and contain extended characteristics of relations which are additionally introduced with a keyword.

The order of the operands dictates the affiliation with attribute values. This means that the number of attribute values has to correspond to the number of operands. Does an operand not have a value for an attribute this is indicated by an underscore character.

Curly brackets are used to describe connected blocks, for example to simulate control structures, functions or classes.