The Change Node Position command allows you to change the order of the selected element on an IDEF0 or N2 diagram (a function on a behavioral N2 or a component on an interface or physical N2). CORE prompts you for a new position for the selected object and then reorders the diagonal accordingly.
Though the representation is incomplete given the absence of constructs and true structure, IDEF0 diagrams imply sequencing and structure. Therefore, changing node positions on an IDEF0 diagram, you will indirectly change the underlying structure graphically represented in an activity diagram or EFFBD. CORE will move the desired node as specified on the structure, and the IDEF0 diagonal sequence will update accordingly.
By default, the physical N2 diagrams compute their order from the sorted order of their children. The behavioral N2 diagram computes its order by traversing the decomposition structure (visible in an activity diagram or an EFFBD). Once you manually change the node position on an N2 diagram, all future additions will be appended to the end of the diagonal. Resetting the diagram layout via the Layout Diagram command will restore the computed order, and CORE will once again maintain the order automatically.
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Changing the node position on an N2 diagram can help not only in representation but also in analysis. Changing the node position allows you to cluster objects. This dramatically increases the value of the N2 in visualizing (behavioral) allocation and (physical) packaging. |