Pattern Elements Overview

This table provides an overview of the pattern elements that can be added to a named pattern to create a pattern definition.

See Also
About Patterns
Inserting a Pattern
Pattern Type Content Description
Resource Statements Matches a resource according to statement patterns.

For more information see Resource.

Statement
  • Literal value
  • Regular expression
  • Choice
  • Sequence
  • Reference definition
  • Analysis type
  • Rule
  • Capture fields: entity, link, attribute
  • Variable

For more information see Statement.

Literal value None Checks equality with a particular string.

For more information see Literal Value.

Regular expression
  • Literal value
  • Regular expression
  • Choice
  • Sequence
  • Reference definition
  • Analysis type
  • Rule
  • Capture fields: entity, link, attribute
  • Variable

Matches groups with subpatterns:

  • Capture field: If it is created as a capture field, a regular expression can be assigned to another pattern
  • Subregular expression

For more information see Regular Expression.

Choice
  • Literal value
  • Regular expression
  • Choice
  • Sequence
  • Reference definition
  • Analysis type
  • Rule
  • Capture fields: entity, link, attribute
  • Variable
Enables to choose between several patterns. The first successful match is retained.

For more information see Choice.

Sequence Occurrences Defines a correspondence between several resources and one pattern or more.

For more information see Sequence.

Occurrence
  • Literal value
  • Regular expression
  • Choice
  • Sequence
  • Reference definition
  • Analysis type
  • Rule
  • Capture fields: entity, link, attribute
  • Variable
Defines how many consecutive resources should match the pattern underneath.

For more information see Occurrence.

Reference Definition None References a named pattern to reuse its definition.

For more information see Reference Definition

Analysis type

Optional: Display and Setters

  • Literal value
  • Regular expression
  • Choice
  • Sequence
  • Reference definition
  • Analysis type
  • Rule
  • Capture fields: entity, link, attribute
  • Variable
  • Display
  • Setter (string, set flag, string format)
  • Maps a pattern and allocate fields to a traceability element.
  • The display setting is used to replace the entity title in the traceability graphical view.

    When the display setting is not specified, the identifier, label or both (if both exist) are displayed.

For more information see Analysis Type.

Rule

Optional: Setters

  • Literal value
  • Regular expression
  • Choice
  • Sequence
  • Reference definition
  • Analysis type
  • Rule
  • Capture fields: entity, link, attribute
  • Variable
  • Setter (string, set flag, string format)

Defines properties on a traceability element. Allocates fields or variables with conditionality.

Important: Contrary to analysis types, rules do not create entities. Rules can be useful when requirement or links are determined by another pattern.

For more information see Rule.

Entity, Attribute, Link Fields, Variable None

For more information see
Setter
  • Entity field
  • Attribute field
  • Link field
  • Variable
Allocates a field (depending on its position) to a traceability element.

For more information see Setters for Analysis Types and Rules.