VariableElement is a marker class that marks an artifact element denoted by association optionalElement as being optional, i.e. it will not be present in all configurations of the complete system. A typical example is an optional FunctionPrototype, FunctionPort, FunctionConnector, etc. but even an optional ClampConnector, an optional UseCase or an optional requirement or constraint.<br/><br/>In addition, the VariableElement can be used to extend the EAST-ADL variability approach to other languages and standards by pointing from the VariableElement to the respective (non EAST-ADL) element with association optionalElement, thus marking the non EAST-ADL element as optional and providing configuration support within its containing ConfigurableContainer.<br/><br/>Refer to the documentation of meta-class ConfigurableContainer for a detailed explanation of how ConfigurableContainer and VariableElement work together.<br/><br/>Constraints:<br/>Typical optional elements are FunctionPrototypes, FunctionConnector, HardwareComponentPrototyoe, HardwarePin, HardwarePort, HardwareConnector and ClampConnector.<br/><br/>Semantics:<br/>Marks the element or the set of elements identified by association optionalElement as optional. If a set of elements is referred to it means that these elements always occur together or are removed together from the system.<br/><br/>Extension:<br/>Class<br/>
Variability can be bound (determined, decided) at different stages in development. The actual binding time describes the chosen/actual binding time for the VariableElement <br/>
Variability can be bound (determined, decided) at different stages in development. The required binding time describes the binding time that the VariableElement is intended to have. <br/><br/><br/>
Name: optionalElement
This association points to the actual element in the core model that is marked optional by this VariableElement. The VariableElement in the variability extension can thus be seen as merely a marker element (this marker mechanism follows the global guideline for relating EAST-ADL extensions to the core and is not specific to the variability extension).
