Functions Editor

Visualize and author component functions in software architectures

Since R2021b

Description

The Functions Editor allows you to author functions in the architecture level for inline components and schedule component initialization for reference components. You can then implement Simulink^® behaviors for your authored functions.

Use the Functions Editor to:

• Author and visualize functions.

  • Add and delete functions and function groups.

  • Change the execution order of the functions.

  • Change the name of a function.

  • Change the period of a function.

• Implement behaviors for functions.

• Add custom properties to functions using stereotypes.

• Order component initialization.

Open the Functions Editor

• System Composer™ toolstrip: Navigate to Modeling > Functions Editor.

Examples

• Author Functions for Software Components of Adaptive Cruise Control
• Author and Extend Functions for Software Architectures
• Schedule Component Initialization in Software Architectures
• Use Property Inspector in System Composer

Parameters

Add function — Add function to software component

button

Add a function to a software component by clicking Add function .

Remove function — Remove function from software component

button

Remove a function from a software component by clicking Remove function .

Increase execution order — Increase execution order of function

button

Increase the execution order of a function by clicking .

This option is only available if Order functions by dependency is unchecked.

Decrease execution order — Decrease execution order of function

button

Decrease the execution order of a function by clicking .

This option is only available if Order functions by dependency is unchecked.

Group functions — Group functions

button

Create a function group containing the functions selected in the Functions Editor by clicking Group functions .

This option is only available if two or more functions of the same period are selected in the Functions Editor.

Ungroup function group — Ungroup function group

button

Remove all functions from function group selected in the Functions Editor by clicking Ungroup function group .

This option is only available if one or more function groups are selected in the Functions Editor.

Group functions by period — Group functions by period

button

Create a new function group containing the functions of the same period by clicking Group functions by period .

You can automatically create function groups based on their period. This functionality is available for functions of software components.

Note

This option is only available if two or more functions of the same period are in the software architecture.

Update diagram — Update diagram to refresh functions

button

Update the software architecture diagram to refresh the functions in the Functions Editor by clicking Update diagram .

Order functions by dependency — Whether to order functions by dependency

off (default) | on

Select this check box to order functions in the Functions Editor by dependency.

You can order functions automatically based on their data dependencies. This functionality is available for functions from behavior models. To enable automatic sorting, select the Order functions by dependency check box or enable OrderFunctionsByDependency on the architecture model.

Programmatic Use

Use the addFunction function to author functions. Use the createSimulinkBehavior function to create new Simulink rate-based or export-function behaviors and link the software component to the new model.

More About

Software Architecture

A software architecture is a specialization of an architecture for software-based systems, including the description of software compositions, component functions, and their scheduling. Use software architectures in System Composer to author software architecture models composed of software components, ports, and interfaces. Design your software architecture model, define the execution order of your component functions, simulate your design in the architecture level, and generate code.

Software Component

A software component is a specialization of a component for software entities, including its interfaces. Implement a Simulink export-function, rate-based, or JMAAB model as a software component, simulate the software architecture model, and generate code.

Software Composition

A software composition is a diagram of software components and connectors that represents a composite software entity, such as a module or application. Encapsulate functionality by aggregating or nesting multiple software components or compositions.

Function

A function is an entry point where a transfer of program control occurs and can be defined in a software component. You can apply stereotypes to functions in software architectures, edit sample times, and specify the function period using the Functions Editor.

Service Interface

A service interface defines the functional interface between client and server components. Each service interface consists of one or more function elements. Once you have defined a service interface in the Interface Editor, you can assign it to client and server ports using the Property Inspector. You can also use the Property Inspector to assign stereotypes to service interfaces.

Function Element

A function element describes the attributes of a function in a client-server interface. Edit the function prototype on a function element to change the number and names of inputs and outputs of the function. Edit function element properties as you would edit other interface element properties. Function argument types can include built-in types as well as bus objects. You can specify function elements to support two types of execution. Asynchronous execution is when the client sends a request to the server, the function executes asynchronously based on the priority order, and the function returns the output arguments to the client. Synchronous execution is when the client sends a request to the server, the function runs immediately, and the function returns the output arguments to the client.

Function Argument

A function argument describes the attributes of an input or output argument in a function element. You can set the properties of a function argument in the Interface Editor just as you would other value types: Type, Dimensions, Units, Complexity, Minimum, Maximum, and Description.

Version History

Introduced in R2021b

R2026a: Visualize and schedule groups of functions in software architectures

Starting in R2026a, you can group functions within your software architecture model by period. When you create a function group, the execution order of functions propagate throughout the model hierarchy. For more information, see Author Functions and Create Function Groups Using Functions Editor.

R2024b: Schedule component initialization in software architectures

Starting in R2024b, you can schedule the order of component initialization for reference components in software architectures from the Initialize tab of the Functions Editor.

R2023b: Traceability between components and functions

Starting in R2023b, when you select software components in the canvas, the functions related to the selected software component are highlighted in the Functions Editor.

R2023a: Visualize differences between message, service, and software functions

Starting in R2023a, the Functions Editor is enhanced to visualize the differences between message, service, and software functions.

R2022b: Authoring asynchronous client-server interfaces in software architecture models

Starting in R2022b, you can author asynchronous client-server interfaces in software architecture models. You can schedule the priority of asynchronous services using the Functions Editor.