Introduction to Specifications

A specification allows you to display and modify the properties and relationships of a model element, such as a class, a relationship, or an operation.

Some of the information displayed in a specification can also be displayed inside icons representing the model element in diagrams.

The specification fields are standard interface elements such as text boxes, list boxes, option buttons, and check boxes.

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Displaying Specifications

You can display a specification in the following ways:

• Double-click an item in a diagram or browser.
• Click a diagram item, and then click Browse > Specification.
• Right-click an item, and then click Open Specification from the shortcut menu.
• Select the diagram item, and press ctrl+b.

Rational Rose displays a specification that corresponds to the selected item.

In order to view a specification when you double-click a logical or component package, you must turn off the Double-Click to diagram option. To disable this option, click Tools > Options. Click the Diagram tab. A check mark inside the Double-Click to diagram check box indicates the main diagram will be displayed when you double-click. If there is no check mark in the check box, double-clicking a logical or component package displays the package specification.