UML Operation Properties dialog box (Operation category)

Name

Type or edit an identifier string as a name for the operation. Typically, operation names begin with a small letter, for example, display (): Location.

Stereotype

Choose the stereotype you want from the drop-down list. If a stereotype you want to use isn't listed, you can add a new stereotype or edit an existing one by clicking Stereotypes on the UML menu.

Prefix

Type any language-specific annotation text here you want to use to further identify an operation return type.

Suffix

Type any language-specific annotation text here you want to use to further identify an operation return type.

Return Type

Choose an implementation type for the value returned by the operation. If the data type you want isn't listed, right-click a data types package in the tree view, point to New and click Data Type, or create a new class.

Expression

Displays the result of data you've added under Prefix, Return Type, and Suffix.

Visibility

Choose the visibility (public, private, or protected) that applies to the operation. Public means the operation is publicly available to any class. Protected means the operation is available inside the class and to its subclasses. Private means that the operation can only be used inside the class.

OwnerScope

Choose instance for owner scope if the operation is only applicable to objects created using the class. Choose classifier if the operation can be applied to the class itself.

IsPolymorphic

Select if the implementation of the operation can be overridden by subclasses and methods can be defined by subclasses. Leave clear if the method realizing the operation is inherited unchanged by all descendants.

IsQuery

Select when an application of the operation will not modify the state of its element.

Call Concurrency

Concurrency specifies the semantics of concurrent calls to the same passive instance (i.e., an instance originating from a classifier with IsActive=false). Sequential means only one call to an instance can be outstanding at once. Guarded means that multiple calls from concurrent threads can occur simultaneously but only one can commence, with the others blocked until the first operation is complete. Concurrent means that multiple calls from concurrent threads can occur simultaneously and all can proceed concurrently.

Documentation

Type any documentation you want to add to the element as a tagged value. When you select the shape or icon representing the element, the documentation you type here also appears in the Documentation window.