Dependency is a relationship between two artifacts showing that one depends on the other.
Within the UML metamodel, Dependency is a sub-class of Relationship.
Dependency is represented as a dashed line with an open arrow head from the depending artifact to that which it is dependent upon.
The details tabs that are active for dependencies are as follows.
- ToDoItem
Standard tab.
- Properties
See Section 17.13.2, “Dependency Property Toolbar” and Section 17.13.3, “Property Fields For Dependency” below.
- Documentation
Standard tab. See Section 12.4, “Documentation Tab”.
- Presentation
Standard tab
![[Note]](images/note.png)
Note The values for the bounds of the dependency are downlighted, given the dependency is tied to a particular modelelement.
- Tagged Values
Standard tab. In the UML metamodel, Dependency has no tagged values of its own, but through superclasses has the following standard tagged values defined.
derived (from the superclass, ModelElement). Values true, meaning the dependency relationship is redundant—it can be formally derived from other elements, or false meaning it cannot.
Note Derived dependencies still have their value in analysis to introduce useful names or concepts.
Go upNavigate up through the package structure of the model. For a dependency this will be the package containing the dependency.
New StereotypeThis creates a new Stereotype (see Section 15.5, “Stereotype”) for the selected dependency, navigating immediately to the properties tab for that stereotype.
DeleteThis deletes the selected dependency from the model.
![[Warning]](images/warning.png)
Warning This is a deletion from the model not just the diagram. To delete a dependency from the diagram, but keep it within the model, use the main menu Remove From Diagram (or press the Delete key).
- Name
Text box. The name of the dependency.
![[Tip]](images/tip.png)
Tip It is quite common to leave dependencies unnamed.
Note ArgoUML does not enforce any naming convention for associations.
Note There is no representation of the name of a dependency on the diagram.
- Stereotype
Drop down selector. Dependency has no standard stereotypes of its own under UML 1.3. and so ArgoUML does not provide any. The stereotype is shown between « and » above or across the generalization.
- Navigate Stereotype
icon. If a stereotype has been selected, this will
navigate to the stereotype property panel (see
Section 15.5, “Stereotype”).- Namespace
Text box. Records the namespace for the dependency. This is the package hierarchy.
- Suppliers
Text area. Lists the end of the relationship that is supplying what is needed by the other end.
Button 1 double click on a supplier will navigate to that element.
- Clients
Text area. Lists the “depending” ends of the relationship, i.e. the end that makes use of the other end.
Button 1 double click on a client will navigate to that element.