Element Type

There is a single simple type, ST_PtType, used to define a type of element; this is defined later. Element types hold the data associated with a diagram and are defined in relation to one-another through relationship types.  Seven different types of elements are available to the user:

• <doc> – A document element. The document element is the root element within a diagram and can be thought of as the canvas which the diagram is drawn on.

• <node> – A model element. This is the basic element type which is used and can be used to hold text for example.

• <asst> – This is used in hierarchy diagrams and represents an assistant element.

• <pres> – A presentation element. This element defines the visual aspects associated with a node, or rather the presentation aspects of an element.

• <parTrans> – A parent transition element. This element holds the data for a parent-child relationship between two elements of type node.

• <sibTrans> – A sibling transition element. This element holds the data for the relationship defined between two elements of type node whom are peers of one another.

• <unknown> – An element type that is used to maintain backward compatibility.