This report analyzes models based on defined options. You can compare several models with each other directly or determine comparison models for an individual source model, even across different databases, as well as determine model versions and then compare them with the source model. You can specify whether the output shows all items that have been changed, all items that exist only in the source model, or all items that exist only in comparison models. All objects, connections, OLE objects, free-form texts, and graphic objects are included.
On the one hand, the scope of the model comparison (existence comparison) enables you to output the differences in the existence of objects between target model (source model) and actual models (comparison models). On the other hand, you can analyze the differences in the attributes (attribute comparison) and relationships (relationship comparison) of shared objects.
Apart from the option to compare models across databases, optional selection criteria are available that enable you to determine the actual models (comparison models). You can also define when objects are to be considered identical.
Specifies that the model comparison is performed between models of different databases. If you enable this option, you can select the database containing the comparison models.
Specifies that the selected model is compared with its master model if it is a model variant, or that it is compared with one of its model variants if it is a master model.
Specify that the case must match when checking the attribute value.
For example, if this check box is enabled the attribute value Process is not identical with the attribute value process for the Name attribute, and therefore, the models are not compared.
Specifies that all changes to the object definitions in terms of the following aspects are displayed: attributes, assignments, and default symbol.
You can compare model semantics by enabling the option Object definitionand disabling the option Object occurrences (symbols).
In this case, the semantic content is considered to be identical if a model contains two object occurrences, each of which has a connection to two objects, or a model contains one object occurrence with two connections to two objects.
Specifies that all changes relating to the object symbol for the object occurrences are displayed.
You can compare model semantics by enabling the option Object definitionand disabling the option Object occurrences (symbols).
In this case, the semantic content is considered to be identical if a model contains two object occurrences, each of which has a connection to two objects, or a model contains one object occurrence with two connections to two objects.
Specifies that changes of the connection alignment are output. The connection alignment changes if a connection is anchored at a different place at the object (connection anchor point). It also changes if the number of angles of a connection changes. Usually, the connection direction changes at connection angles.
Enables you to select an attribute that serves as a criterion to identify objects as identical. If you select this option, you can also include upper/lower case as well as line breaks and spaces.
Objects can be defined as identical if they are of the same type and have a selected attribute, for example, NAME, that matches. When you use an identical attribute to compare objects, note that the assignment of the objects is not necessarily unique. In this case, you have to ensure uniqueness by means of internal conventions. If the corresponding attribute is not specified, no objects that are the same as this object can be determined because in this case, that would be all objects for which the attribute was not specified.