The top-level Package Diagram (PD) in each UML model includes four packages: one for each of the views in the model. Two of these packages, called components and processes may be decomposed through one or more further levels of PD to a set of Component Diagrams (CPDs).
In the Component View, CPDs show dependencies between compilation units, typically including source files, and the runtime components of the final system. In the Process View, the CPDs show the dependencies between processes (scheduleable units that may be selected for execution on the host machine’s processor) in terms of runtime components. Runtime components typically include:
These diagrams are intended to show the allocation of classes to compilation units and processes, respectively, although UML does not define how this is to occur. Cradle will support this mapping by providing a frame called CLASSES in which the names of the classes contained within the component or task can be listed.
By being defined in component specifications, the components and tasks are cross referenceable.
CPDs are not hierarchical. Their connectivity is:
CPDs are only available for models in the Implementation Domain.
Numbering of CPDsCPDs take their name and number from the package from which they are an expansion. They contain components and tasks, each of which is defined by a specification.
SymbolsAn example CPD is:
Here is a description of the symbols available:
| Symbol | Name | Description | Definition | Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Comment | Makes a note anywhere in the diagram. Are always surrounded by * characters. Note: If you do not want Cradle to automatically add an * go to the Graphics Settings section of Project Setup and turn off the Automatically add asterisks to diagram's comment symbols option. | None | None |
 | Component Specification | A software component, which may or may not be executable. | Component specification | None |
 | Task Specification | An executable component, typically known as a process, a thread, or a task. | Component specification | None |
 | Picture | Allows you to choose the location of a GIF or JPEG image to be displayed as a diagram symbol or to be embedded in an existing diagram symbol. | None | None |
 | Component Dependency | A dependency between components. | None | None |
 | Item | Represents a requirement or system note in the diagram. | None | None |
 | Context Item | Represents a requirement or system note in a diagram and is a container within which other object symbols can be drawn or attached. | None | None |
 | Cross Reference Link | Represents a cross reference that exists between a pair of system notes/requirements. It can also represent a cross reference between a system note/requirement and a specification or data definition or system that describes the objects symbols that it connects. | None | None |