Generate Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) to show dependency relationships between Classes, Interfaces and Packages. DSM quickly alerts you to overly specific dependencies and circular references in a concise color-coded chart.
If you have installed DSM Plug-in successfully, [DSM] tab should appear in the bottom pane just below the Diagram Editor.
When there is a color in the cell, that means the following alert. So when your DSM has color cells, try fixing your model accordingly.
Clear analysis using DSM could help to find the risks of the dependencies of models as you model.
Color | Meaning | Risk |
---|---|---|
Red | Circular reference | Could rise the dead lock and closed loop, degrade of the modulability |
Pink | Indirect circular reference | Same as above |
Yellow | Indirect circular reference | Too much responsibility on one pole. Changing of this model could rise big influences in wide filed. |
Astah loads the following relationships between Class (Interface, Actor, Entity, BusinessEntity, Boundary, Control and BusinessWorker) and Package (Subsystem, Model) as Dependencies.
Model | Note |
---|---|
Associations | Non-navigable is treated as dependent unidirectional. |
Association (Aggregation) | Counts "one-way" dependency from the container to the other. |
Association (Composition) | Counts "one-way" dependency from the container to the other. |
Dependency, Usage Dependency, Realization and Template Binding | - |
Generalization | Counts one as a dependency from SubClass to Super Class. |
Realization | Counts as a dependency from Implement Class to Interface. |
Dependencies within a Package | All the dependencies within a Package are not counted. |
You can switch the DSM view by namespace. Only the models in selected namespace would appear in DSM.
You can export the DSM to Excel by selecting the top right button “Export to Excel”.
Compatible with | Plug-in Version | Release Date | Download |
---|---|---|---|
Astah Professional and UML version 6.6 – 8.3 | 1.3.5 | 2019.4.11 |