Component

Add component to an architecture model

Description

Use a Component block to represent a structural or behavioral element at any level of an architecture model hierarchy. Add ports to the block for connecting to other components. Define an interface for the ports and add properties using stereotypes.

To add or connect System Composer™ components:

• Add an architecture Component from the Modeling tab or the palette. You can also click and drag a box on the canvas, selecting the Component option once complete.

• Add a port by selecting an edge of the component and choosing a direction from the menu: Input or Output

• Click and drag the port to create a connection. Connect to another component, or have the option of creating a new component to complete the connection.

• To connect the architecture Component blocks to architecture or composition model root ports, drag from the component ports to the containing model boundary. When you release the connection, a root port is created at the boundary.

Ports

Input

Source — Input connection from another component

interface

If you connect to a source component, the interfaces on the ports are shared.

Output

Destination — Output connection to another component

interface

If you connect to a destination component, the interfaces on the ports are shared.

More About

Definitions

Term	Definition	Application	More Information
architecture	A System Composer architecture represents a system of components and how they interface with each other structurally and behaviorally. You can represent specific architectures using alternate views.	Different types of architectures describe different aspects of systems: Functional architecture describes the flow of data in a system. Logical architecture describes the intended operation of a system. Physical architecture describes the platform or hardware in a system.	Compose Architecture Visually
model	A System Composer model is the file that contains architectural information, including components, ports, connectors, interfaces, and behaviors.	Perform operations on a model: Extract the root level architecture contained in the model. Apply profiles. Link interface data dictionaries. Generate instances from model architecture. System Composer models are stored as .slx files.	Create an Architecture Model
component	A component is a nontrivial, nearly-independent, and replaceable part of a system that fulfills a clear function in the context of an architecture. A component defines an architecture element, such as a function, a system, hardware, software, or other conceptual entity. A component can also be a subsystem or subfunction.	Represented as a block, a component is a part of an architecture model that can be separated into reusable artifacts.	Components
port	A port is a node on a component or architecture that represents a point of interaction with its environment. A port permits the flow of information to and from other components or systems.	There are different types of ports: Component ports are interaction points on the component to other components. Architecture ports are ports on the boundary of the system, whether the boundary is within a component or the overall architecture model.	Ports
connector	Connectors are lines that provide connections between ports. Connectors describe how information flows between components or architectures.	A connector allows two components to interact without defining the nature of the interaction. Set an interface on a port to define how the components interact.	Connections