Posts

Using Document Script fragments in Sparx EA

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In this article we discover the possibilities of Document Script fragments when dealing with complex requirements for document geneneration templates in Sparx Enterprise Architect.

The request

The other day I got a difficult request for a document generation template. At this client they are documenting Use Case scenarios using the structured scenario editor in EA. Each scenario step can be linked to a requirement element.

Each Requirement could have one or more constraints

Based on these scenarios the customer wanted to generate a test scenario document that contained a table like this

StepStep descriptionRequirementRequirement constraints
1User chooses to make a new reservation
2System show the reservation screen where the user can enter Begin, Endate and Roomtype
3User enters begindate and enddate or the numbers of nightsREQ_RV_ 403 Reservation periodInvariant: StartDate < Enddate
Post-condition: A reservation must have a reservation period in the future

The first three columns are available in the standard point and click templates, but the problematic part is the Requirement constraints.… Read more

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EA-Matic v2.3 introduces Developer Mode

EA-Matic, the add-in to automatically trigger your script in Enterprise Architect introduces the Developer Mode

EA-Matic is a free and open source add-in for Sparx Enterprise Architect, and is distributed as part of the Bellekens EA Toolpack

In order to enable Developer Mode, open the settings window and check the Developer Mode checkbox and fill in the Script Path.

The Developer Mode is registered per model. Typically you would enable this on your DEV model, but not on the TEST or PROD models.… Read more

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EA Toolpack v2.0 introduces EA Validator and EA Mapping

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The Bellekens EA toolpack v2.0 now has two completely new general purpose add-ins.

EA Validator

The EA Validator is an add-in that will help you validate the syntactical correctness of your EA model.

Validations as based on SQL queries and are fully customizable to your specific requirements. It comes with a set of example rules that may be used as is, or can serve as a basis for writing your own validation rules

EA Mapping

With EA Mapping you can map data models of all kinds to each other.… Read more

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Simple VBA Excel to EA importer v4.2

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Version 4.2 of the Excel to EA Importer now introduces a new GUI to follow the progress of the import, and a massive increase in performance.

The Excel to EA importer is a rather simple tool to import stuff into EA. It has been available on the Sparx Community Site since 2009 and it has always been one of the most popular resources.

Version 2 was a small improvement allowing for different types of Elements.

Version 3 added the feature to import the glossary into EA.… Read more

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Presentations Available – EAUG Brussels 2017

The presentations for the Enterprise Architect User Group event Brussels 2017 are available for download

Whats new in EA 13 and 13.5

EA @ Jan de Nul Group

Web Collaboration – Everything is about to change

Manage a Canonical Data Model using EA

Managing with models, what difference does it make?

This is what we need from EA

Using Enterprise Architect for architecting the TenneT Data Platform

Deriving code from models for the sake of traceability

Modelling messages with the Schema Composer

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Agenda finalized – EAUG Brussels 2017

The agenda for the next Enterprise Architect User Group (EAUG) meeting in Brussels on the 5th and 6th October 2017 has been finalized.

Join us for two days of training and presentations and exchange experiences with fellow Enterprise Architect users and experts.

Thursday 5th October: an EA training day, with a small number of in-depth sessions led by approved EA training partners.

Friday 6th October: a ‘traditional’ EAUG event day – presentations,case studies and user stories.

Full details for both days will be published shortly.… Read more

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EA TFS Connector a new add-in for the Bellekens EA Toolpack

The Bellekens EA toolpack, the free set of add-ins for Enterprise Architect has expanded with a new add-in: the EA TFS Connector.

This new add-in for Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect synchronizes workitems 2-ways between EA and TFS (Microsoft Team Foundation Server), so both from TFS to EA as from EA to TFS.

The EA TFS Connector uses the REST API web-service of TFS to synchronize items, so no local TFS (Visual Studio) installation is required, and it also works with TFS version 2015, which isn’t the case with the standard Visual Studio MDG integration.… Read more

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New! Support Contracts with Bellekens!

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Ever needed a helping hand, or needed an expert to fall back on if you have a difficult question or face a problem with Enterprise Architect?

Now you can. Bellekens now offers support contracts for those occasional interventions.

We offer both Monthly as yearly subscriptions depending on your needs.

Montly

You will receive a monthly invoice with all the details of the treated support tickets.

BaseBase hoursbase hourly ratebase amountextra 15 minutes **
No base*0––€ 45
1 h base1€ 150€ 150€ 45
2 h base2€ 140€ 280€ 45
5 h base5€ 130€ 650€ 45
10 h base10€ 120€ 1.200€ 45

* If you choose for the option with No base the minimum charge is 1 hour.… Read more

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EA Mapping tool the next steps

Since my last post EA mapping EA Mapping Tool => Who wants it? there has been quite some response.

There are at least three parties that are seriously committed in joining, and a number of parties that are interested but for any number of reasons aren’t able to commit to anything just yet.

So the next logical step in the process is start building a requirements list. I’ve started with list of basis requirements listed below. Every sponsor now will now be given the opportunity to review those requirements and add some of their own.… Read more

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EA Mapping tool => Who wants it?

I’m thinking about developing a mapping tool add-in for EA.
The idea is that you can manage a mapping between two types of (data) models. For example between your logical data model and your message model, or between your logical data model and your database model etc…

I already have a number of add-ins and scripts that somehow create traceability between models on element, attribute and association level, but I don’t have a tool yet to visualize and manage those traces.… Read more

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Pages

EA Excel import-export

The EA Excel import-export tool can be used to export and import between Sparx Enterprise Architect and Excel. Using only an Excel file, and the built in macro’s you can use it to

  • Export and Import element and attribute data (including tagged values on elements and attributes)
  • Import the Glossary
  • Export and Import tagged values

Version 5.0

Version 5.0 adds a complete new import and export feature for elements and attributes.

  • Configure exactly what you would like to export using an SQL Query
  • Use GUID’s of elements and attributes to update items regardless of their location in the model
  • Define whether to create, update, or delete items using the Action column
  • Specify a datatypes package and link attribute types with the datatypes in the datatype package
  • Support for a lot more fields such as alias, version, status, initial value etc.
… Read more
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EA JSON

EA JSON is an add-in for Sparx Enterprise Architect that enables you to model and generate JSON Schemas.

You can model JSON schemas in class diagrams with the JSON toolbox. Each of the JSON specific elements has custom properties specific to JSON schema items.

From a JSON Schema model you can then generate the JSON Schema file.

Download

Installation

EA Mapping is part of the Bellekens EA Toolpack which includes other useful add-ins such as

When installing you can choose which of the tools you wish to install.… Read more

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EA Validator

The EA Validator is an add-in that will help you validate the syntactical correctness of your EA model.

Validations as based on SQL queries and is fully customizable to your specific requirements. It comes with a set of example rules that may be used as is, or can serve as a basis for writing your own validation rules

Download

Installation

EA Mapping is part of the Bellekens EA Toolpack which includes other useful add-ins such as

Settings

Open the settings via the menu option Specialize | EA Validator | Settings

  • Checks directory
    • Indicates the directory where the check files are located.
… Read more
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EA Mapping

EA Mapping is an add-in for Enterprise Architect that allows you to map data models of all kinds to each other.

You can either map regular data models, or message models. The main difference between the two is that message models always start from a root element, whereas regular data models start from a package.The mappings can be made between Classes, Attributes and Associations, and allows for many-to-many mappings. For each mapping you can add a description of the mapping logic to be applied.… Read more

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Bellekens Enterprise Architect Toolpack

The Bellekens Enterprise Architect Toolpack contains all the free and open source add-ins offered by Bellekens.

General purpose add-ins

Specialized add-ins

All add-ins in this package are open source using the BSD-2 license

Download

Prerequisites

The Bellekens EA Toolpack requires .Net framework 4.5 which is already installed on most Windows installations.

Installation

When installing you can choose which of the tools you wish to install.… Read more

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EA TFS Connector

The EA TFS Connector is a free and open source add-in for Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect.
It synchronizes workitems between EA and TFS (Microsoft Team Foundation Server)

The EA TFS Connector uses the REST API web-service of TFS to synchronize items, so no local TFS installation is required.

Download

Prerequisites

EA TFS Connector requires .Net framework 4.5 which is already installed on most Windows installations.

Installation

EA TFS Connector is part of the Bellekens EA Toolpack which includes other useful add-ins such as

When installing you can choose which of the tools you wish to install.… Read more

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Support

Are you an Enterprise Architect user, but you need a helping hand from an expert now and then?

That is now entirely possible. With our support plans a trained professional has your back and will help you with anything related to Enterprise Architect, or the add-ins or scripts developed by Bellekens.

You can use the support contract to

  • General questions
    Submit general questions about the usage of Enterprise Architect or one of the add-ins developed by Bellekens. If we cannot fix it we will contact Sparx Systems support on your behalve in order to make sure the issue gets resolved.
… Read more
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EA Database Transformer

EA Database Transformer is a a free and open source add-in for Enterprise Architect allow for a controlled MDA-type transformation from a Logical Data Model to a Database Model

Currently this tool has been implemented for a transformation to a DB2 database. In case you are interested in using this tool in your own environment, possibly with another DBMS or other transformation rules, please feel free to contact Geert Bellekens.

Download

Prerequisites

EA Database Transformer requires .Net framework 4.5 which is already installed on most Windows installations.… Read more

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EA Message Composer

The EA Message Composer is a schema composer add-in for Enterprise Architect.

The add-in extends the new Schema Composer feature that was added in Enterprise Architect v12, but it needs v 12.1.1226 or higher to function correctly.

The Schema Composer feature allows to cherry pick elements, attributes and relations from a source model, often the common, or canonical model.

With the EA Message Composer you can then create a subset model that is a copy of all elements, attributes and associations selected in the Schema Composer.… Read more

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Enterprise Architect

Enterprise Architect by Sparx Systems is one of the leading modeling tools in the industry and unparalleled in giving you the best value for money.

  • Consultancy

    Looking for an expert to help you with Enterprise Architect? Geert Bellekens is one of the worlds leading experts on Enterprise Architect.

  • Licenses

    Contact us to get a quote for your EA licenses and renewals

  • Writing add-ins

    Everything you need to know about extending Enterprise Architect with your own add-in.

  • SQL Searches

    Quickly find stuff, or perform impact analysis with the powerful SQL Searches

  • Document Generation

    Learn how to create generate professional documents from your model

Free open source add-ins

All add-ins listed below are grouped in a single installer.… Read more

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