Model — The systemcomposer.arch.Model object is the representation of the SLX file that stores information about a System Composer model where you build your architectural description of the system you are designing.

Root Architecture — A System Composer model begins with a root architecture represented by a systemcomposer.arch.Architecture object.

A root is at the top of an architecture hierarchy. A root architecture has a boundary defined by its architecture ports that surround the system of interest.

Component — A component represented by a systemcomposer.arch.Component object shares the properties and attributes of a Component block.

A component is a replaceable part of a system that fulfills a clear function in the context of an architecture. A component defines an architectural element, such as a function, another system, hardware, software, or other conceptual entity. A component can also be a subsystem or subfunction.

Architecture — The architecture of a component is represented by a systemcomposer.arch.Architecture object.

A System Composer architecture represents a system of components and how they interface with each other structurally and behaviorally.

Port — A component port exists on the outside of components, represented by a systemcomposer.arch.ComponentPort object. An architecture port exists within a component port, accessible on the system boundary when you double-click the component, represented by a systemcomposer.arch.ArchitecturePort object.

A port is a node on a component or architecture that represents a point of interaction with its environment. A port permits the flow of information to and from other components or systems.

Connector — A connector, represented by a systemcomposer.arch.Connector object, connects two ports.

Connectors are lines that provide connections between ports. Connectors describe how information flows between components or architectures.

Interface Data Dictionary — An interface data dictionary, represented by a systemcomposer.interface.Dictionary object, exists as part of the model or an external SLDD file that contains interface definitions.

An interface data dictionary is a consolidated list of interfaces and value types in an architecture and where you use them in the architecture.

Data Interface — Assign data interfaces, represented by a systemcomposer.interface.DataInterface object, to ports in your architecture model.

A data interface defines the kind of information that flows through a port. The same interface can be assigned to multiple ports. A data interface can be composite, meaning that it can include data elements that describe the properties of an interface signal.

Data Element — Further clarify interfaces with data elements, represented by a systemcomposer.interface.DataElement object.

A data element describes a portion of an interface, such as a communication message, a calculated or measured parameter, or other decomposition of that interface.

Value Type — A value type, represented by a systemcomposer.ValueType object, clarifies a data element and can be used as an interface assigned to a port.

A value type can be used as a port interface to define the atomic piece of data that flows through that port and has a top-level type, dimension, unit, complexity, minimum, maximum, and description.