Contributes variability

A contributing element adds to the base element. Contributes provides a way for elements to contribute their properties into their base element without directly changing any of its existing properties, such as in an additive fashion. When the contribution is resolved during publication or by using the Browsing perspective, the base element is logically replaced with an element that combines the attributes and associations of the contributing element with the base element.

Relevant information in the contributing element is added to the base element. Text fields in the contributing element are appended at the end of the respective text fields in the base element. For example, text in a brief description is appended to the brief description in the base.

A contributing element only adds attributes and associations to the base element. It never overrides or replaces existing attributes or other association in the base. If the base element is defined with an existing association to exactly one other element, the existing association will not be replaced by a contributor's association.

Contribution rules

Exceptions

All contributing associations are "many to many" except for the following:

A complete list of all possible associations is provided on the Associations impacted by variability page.

Adding a contribution association

  1. Use the Content Variability section on the Description tab to make an element contribute to another element.
  2. Select Contributes as the Variability type and then select the base element to which this element will contribute. The base element must be the same type of element as the contributing element.