Templates

A template allows you to quickly and automatically create code, insert code, or transform existing code. There are several different types of templates:

• Package: For modifying/creating specific groups of classes and members
• Class: For modifying existing classes or creating a new class
• Link: For modifying existing links or creating a new links on the Class diagram
• J2EE Pattern: Specific pattern templates that can be applied to one or more classes

You can use template extensions to create template instances. Template instances are managed by the template manager, which also gives you the ability to manage existing template instances, or create new ones.

A template instance operates on existing elements using an associated template source. The template source contains a template-specific specification of elements and constructions that are applied on the target elements.

For example, an instance of the Java class template uses its template source to specify imports, fields, methods, and inner-types that are created when the template is applied to a target Java class.

You can create new template instances using the template wizard. The current selection of elements is analyzed and then an appropriate template source is created using the data from the selected elements.

For example, you can create a new Java class template from an existing class. The wizard analyzes the selection and extracts imports, fields, and methods from the selection. It then creates the template source. The template source is then associated with the new template instance.