class entities keywords request: metaclass and stereotype

Question

can some class specific keywords to be added for class diagrams

it would be nice having metaclass and stereotype keywords

also - auto-chars M and S (respectively) would be great

metaclass X {}

stereotype Y {}

Answer 1

Hello G., and all,

The main question is how many new keywords will be necessary for the future.
See recent Wanted feature or PR (for Protocol, Struct or Exception):

• https://github.com/plantuml/plantuml/pull/1028
• https://forum.plantuml.net/16258/adding-exception-keyword-for-class-diagram
• https://github.com/plantuml/plantuml/pull/1056

Perhaps the best solution will be to manage a more generic solution possible used by the user, without create new keywords on PlantUML.

Then, here is a temporary proposal using procedure, as:

@startuml

!procedure metaclass($name) 
class $name << (M,#FF7700) Metaclass >> 
!endprocedure

!procedure stereotype($name) 
class $name << S,#FF77FF) Stereotype >> 
!endprocedure

class MyMetaClass <<metaclass>>

class MyStereotype <<stereotype>> {
    + x : int = 8879797
    - qwert() : int
}

metaclass(MyMetaClass2) {
    + x : int = 8879797
    - qwert() : int
}

stereotype(MyStereotype2) {
    + x : int = 8879797
    - qwert() : int
}
@enduml

If that can help,
Regards.

Comments

Sure, procedure ad-hoc makes sense, however, metaclass and stereotype are UML2 core entities, so PlantUML to UML2 core compliance has great value in terms of main concepts support

---

Hello G., and all,

• Have you some ideas for the colours of the auto-char background?

metaclass colour = ?

stereotype colour = ?

Regards.

---

that looks good to me

stereotype colour = #FF77FF

metaclass colour = #CCCCCC

Answer 2

Hello G., and all,

With last snapshot, you can now use:

@startuml
metaclass X {
    + x : int = 8879797
    - qwert() : int
}
stereotype Y {
    + x : int = 8879797
    - qwert() : int
}

metaclass metaclass
stereotype stereotype
@enduml

---

See also question here:

• https://github.com/plantuml/plantuml/pull/1159#issuecomment-1286064640

about auto-char 'S' of stereotype to change to «» or  ⟪⟫...

Enjoy,
Regards.