Model comparison

The model comparison gives you the opportunity to compare the current version with the updates that have been made.

Where can I find the model comparison?

After clicking on Version changes in the options of the diagram view of a checked-in or checked-out diagram, you will see the option to select a stage and version for comparison with the active version. If you are assigned to the either Author, Editor or Administrator role, you can select all stages for comparison. If you are assigned to the Reviewer role, you can only view the changes to the Preview and Publication stages. If you are a Reader in the change view of the diagram and would like to view a comprehensive list of all published archives in comparison mode in order to compare all versions with each other, first open the list of archives. All available archives are presented here and you have the option of selecting any archive to enable a comprehensive comparison between the individual versions. As a Reader you can only view and compare changes in the Publication stage.

You can also select a version from the archive to display the corresponding changes in the respective version.

Note

If archive access is disabled for the “Reader” user role in Administration, Readers can only compare the diagram with the direct predecessor archive.

Note

You can only click on the latest version of the stages you are currently not in. In your current stage, the “Latest version” selection is not clickable because this is the active version of your stage.

When you have selected the stage and version for comparison, click on the Show Differences button. A list of all objects that are not included in the displayed diagram, are only included in the displayed diagram, or have different attribute values will appear.

If the name of the object is not maintained in your content language, it will be displayed in your alternative language. The object appears in the list with the hint “no content”, if the name of a changed object has not been maintained in your content and alternative language. You can find more about this topic in the chapter multilingualism.

When and how is a symbol marked?

To see a change in the diagram, you have to click on it in the list.

Then the object will be marked in the list and in the diagram. A green mark stands for Only included in the displayed diagram and a yellow mark for Different attribute value.

Note

Deleted elements are only listed and will not be shown in the diagram.

If you check out and then check in a diagram in which you only rearrange elements, this will also be saved in the archive as a comparison version. However, when you want to compare this version with the active one, you will be notified that no changes have been made.

How can I add or remove objects in the model comparison?

You can add or remove objects while you are comparing a diagram version with the displayed diagram. To do this, you must have checked out the displayed diagram.

When you move the mouse over the Not included in displayed diagram section, the Add to diagram button appears. This allows you to add the object to the diagram that is included in the selected diagram version but not in the displayed diagram.

When you move the mouse over the Only included in displayed diagram section, the Remove from diagram button appears. This allows you to remove the object from the diagram that is included in the displayed diagram but not in the selected diagram version.

Clicking the respective button will execute the action immediately, and the change will no longer appear in the comparison. The only way to undo the action is to discard the local changes or click Undo (alternatively CTRL+Z) in the editor.

How can I see which attribute has changed?

To view the details of a specific change, you need to hover your mouse over the change you want to have an overview of. On the right side of the entry, an Show changes icon appears. To view the change, click on this icon.

Note

The open changes icon only appears at entries of already existing entities. If an entity was newly added or deleted, the Show changes icon does not appear.

Note

Changes in external function allocation diagrams will not appear, only changes in internal allocation diagrams will be considered.

Upon clicking the Show changes icon, a table will open listing the changes to the selected element. In the left column, you will see the changed changes made, while in the middle and right column, you can compare the differences between the current version and the archive.

Relationship attributes within an entity are not visually represented. Nevertheless, the corresponding entities are listed. When you open these changes in the table, you will see the respective adjustments.

How can I apply attribute values from other diagram versions?

If you have clicked on the Show changes button in the checked-out diagram, you will find an Update option in the displayed table. This allows you to apply the archive’s attribute value to the displayed diagram. Then click Confirm to finalize the change.

If you clicked Update for the wrong attribute value, you can undo it by clicking Undo update. To discard all changes, click Cancel.