Context diagram

Description

The context diagram is designed to break down components only where useful. We find this useful to get a 'top-down' functional impression of a system, with the option to generate diagrams that successively 'open the lid' on components, whilst keeping others 'boxed up'.

Definition

A context diagram shows the context of the specified element, with respect to a particular scope element.

The view contains:

1. Main elements of interest
2. Relevant associated elements.

Main elements of interest

The main elements of interest are those that are children of the scoping element. Or, if the scoping element has no children, the scoping element itself.

Relevant associated elements

A relevant associated element is one that is associated to one of the main elements of interest, where either:

• Its immediate parent is an ancestor of the scope
• It is a root element.

Example: entire system

The simplest 'context' is one with the scope of the entire system. All the 'top level' elements have been added (children of the world scope!).

Example: sub-item

If we change the scope to a sub-item, in this case sound-system, we see that it is opened up and it's two children, amplifier and speaker are revealed.

The only connections that are shown are those that connect directly to these children.