State shape

In a statechart or activity diagram, a state is a condition during which an object satisfies a condition, performs an action, or waits for an event. A state is an image of an instant in the life of an object that reflects the values that exist in the object's attributes and the links the object has with other objects.

A state has two compartments for optional information. The top compartment contains a name and the bottom compartment contains a list of internal actions or activities performed in response to events. When a state corresponds to ongoing activity, that activity is expressed either as a nested state machine or by a pair of entry and exit actions.

Name a State 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 whether a name is displayed on the State shape

Right-click the shape, click Shape Display Options, and then select Name to display a name or clear Name to hide a name.

Show the State shape's internal transition compartment

Right-click the shape, click Shape Display Options, and then clear the Transition check box.