Adding nodes to Web diagrams

A node is an icon on the free-form surface that represents a resource such as a Struts component or a Faces component. When you add a node to a Web diagram, the resource represented by that node may or may not actually exist. That is, the node may be realized or unrealized.

To draw a node in a Web diagram, complete the following steps:

1. Drag and drop onto the free-form surface one the following items from the palette:

   Option	Description
   Action Mapping	An action mapping defined within a Struts configuration file. The Struts configuration file must be defined within the same Web application as the Web diagram being edited.
   Form Bean	A form bean defined within a Struts configuration file.
   Java Bean	A Java bean.
   Web Page	A JSP or an HTML page. The Web page must be defined within the same Web application as the Web diagram being edited.
   Web Application	A Struts-based Web application.
   Struts Module	A Struts module and the intended entry point for that module.
   Faces action	A JavaServer Faces action.

   The editor adds an icon for that node.

2. If you want the node to have a nondefault name, type the name.

3. Click the free-form surface.

After you have added two or more nodes to the Web diagram, you can proceed to drawing connections or to realizing the nodes.

Limitations

When you create a diagram within a Struts 1.1 Web project, you associate the diagram with a Struts module (see Creating Web diagrams for new applications). You cannot add action mappings or form beans that do not belong to the Struts module associated with the diagram that you are editing. If you try to do this, a module node is created with an entry action mapping set to the action mapping you tried to drop. You can, however, add a Java bean, Web page, or Web application that belongs to the same enterprise archive (EAR) as the one with which the diagram is associated.

 

Related concepts

Web diagrams and the Web diagram editor
Web diagram connections

 

Related tasks

Editing Web diagrams - overview
Realizing nodes in Web diagrams
Drawing connections in Web diagrams

Related reference
Web diagram editor's palette
Keyboard shortcuts for the Web diagram editor
Resolution rules for realizing Web diagram parts
Preferences for the Web diagram editor
Web diagram editor: pop-up menu