Dependency shape

A dependency is a relationship between two elements that indicates that changes to the source element may cause changes in the target element.

The notation for a dependency is a dashed arrow, and the element at the tail of the arrow depends on the element at the arrowhead. A dependency relates the model elements themselves and doesn't require instances for its meaning. Four kinds of dependency have been predefined and are labeled with an optional stereotype: trace, refinement, usage, and binding.

Name a Dependency shape and add other property values

Open the element's UML Properties dialog box by double-clicking the icon that represents the element in the tree view or the shape that represents the element in a diagram.

Tip

Control which property values display on a shape in a diagram by right-clicking the shape, and then clicking Shape Display Options. In the UML Shape Display Options dialog box, select and clear options to display or hide property values.

Control which property values are displayed on the Dependency shape

Right-click the shape, click Shape Display Options, and then select or clear options to show or hide values.

Navigate to other views of the dependency

Right-click the shape, click Views, select the view you want, and then click OK.