Report: Compare models

Use

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, 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.

You can select the following options:

Comparison options

Within the database

Specifies that the model comparison is performed within the current database.

Between databases

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.

Database

Specify the database in which the model to be used for comparison is stored.

This field offers all databases of the current tenant.

Different versions of the selected model

Specifies that the model comparison is performed between the selected model and its versions.

The prerequisite for this comparison is that the selected model is saved in a versionable database and has at least one version.

Master model or model variants of the selected model

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.

Models with identical attribute

Specifies that the selected model is compared with models if their attribute value matches a selected attribute.

Use the Attribute field to specify which attribute type must match for a model to be used for a comparison.

Attribute

Specify which attribute value must match for a model to be used for a comparison.

Match case

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.

Models with identical GUID

Compares models having an identical GUID.

The GUID is a string that uniquely identifies items worldwide. It is automatically assigned by the system.

Any comparison models

Enables you to compare the source model with any model.

Include

Items contained only in the source model

Specifies that items are displayed that exist only in the source model and do not occur in the comparison models.

Items contained only in comparison models

Specifies that items are displayed that exist only in the second comparison model and do not occur in the source model.

Changed items of both models

Specifies that all changed items in both models are displayed.

Changed items of all models

Specifies that all changed items in all models are displayed.

Items

Model properties

Specifies that changed model properties are to be displayed, for example, model template, background color, or model attributes.

Object definitions

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 definition and 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.

Object attributes

Specifies that changed attributes are to be output.

System attributes

Specifies that changed system attributes are to be displayed, for example, time of generation, last user, etc.

Object occurrences (symbols)

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 definition and 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.

Appearance

Specifies that all changes relating to the appearance of object occurrences (shading, line style, fill color, etc.) are displayed.

Position/Size

Specifies that changes to object occurrences in terms of their positioning in the modeling area and their size are displayed.

Attribute placement

Specifies that changes to the attribute placement for object occurrences are displayed.

Connection definition

Specifies that all changes to the connection definitions in terms of attributes and assignments are displayed.

Connection attributes

Specifies that changed attributes are to be output.

Connection occurrences (arrow symbols)

Specifies that all changes relating to the arrow symbol for the connection occurrences are displayed.

Connection appearance

Specifies that all changes relating to the appearance of the connection occurrences (color, style, arrow to source, etc.) are displayed.

Connection alignment

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.

Connection attribute placement

Specifies that changes are output as soon as attributes of connection occurrences are placed at a different position, removed, or replaced by others.

Graphic objects

Specifies that changes to the graphic objects (position, size, shape, etc.) are displayed.

Free-form text

Specifies that changes to free-form texts (position, content, etc.) are displayed.

Additional identification criteria for identical objects

Objects with identical attribute

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.

Match case

Finds only objects with names that match precisely with regard to upper and lower case.

Include line breaks and spaces

Only includes attribute values that are exact matches in terms of line breaks and spaces.

Context

The comparison includes all "normal" ARIS models. Only the following models are not included in the model comparison:

Output format

The output is an Excel workbook. Below is an example of a model comparison including different model versions.

These tables will be output:

Summary

This table summarizes all comparison options.

Summary

Comparison result

This table summarizes all changes in the form of an overview.

Yellow means an update, red means that items have been deleted, and green means that items have been added.

This table summarizes all comparison options.

Comparison details

This table summarizes all differences in detail.

Comparison details

Graphics

This table displays the differences in the model graphics in color.

Graphics