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A generalization is a taxonomic relationship between a more general classifier and a more specific classifier. Each instance
of the specific classifier is also an instance of the general classifier. Thus, the specific classifier indirectly has features
of the more general classifier.
Description
A generalization relates a specific classifier to a more general classifier, and is owned by the specific classifier.
Generalizations
•
“DirectedRelationship? on page 78
Attributes
No additional attributes
Associations
• general: Classifier [1] References the general classifier in the Generalization relationship. Subsets DirectedRelationship::target.
• specific: Classifier [1] References the specializing classifier in the Generalization relationship. Subsets DirectedRelationship::source and Element::owner.
Constraints
No additional constraints
Semantics
Where a generalization relates a specific classifier to a general classifier, each instance of the specific classifier is
also an instance of the general classifier. Therefore, features specified for instances of the general classifier are implicitly
specified for instances of the specific classifier. Any constraint applying to instances of the general classifier also applies
to instances of the specific classifier.
Notation
A Generalization is shown as a line with a hollow triangle as an arrowhead between the symbols representing the involved classifiers.
The arrowhead points to the symbol representing the general classifier. This notation is referred to as the “separate target
style.? See the example section below.
Presentation Options
Multiple Generalization relationships that reference the same general classifier can be connected together in the “shared
target style.? See the example section below.
Examples