RAS22 — replace string artifact reference with artifact reference

Convert every place that used a string reference representing an artifact to be an actual reference to the Artifact class/element in the Solution class/element.

Pros:
Providing the ability to include a lot more information about that artifact than simply how to locate it using the reference. You now have an actual Artifact element that can be interrogated for information.
Allows us to apply the Visitor pattern to our Java implementation making it incredibly easy and flexible for a client to visit the artifacts in the asset independent of where they are located or how they are structured. Third parties can also tie into this so that we visit all their artifacts in custom profiles as well.

Cons:
This opens up the possibility of additional broken references if someone deletes the artifact that a given element was referring to.

Classes/Elements affected:
ArtifactActivity
DescriptorGroup
Profile
RelatedAsset
RelatedProfile
Usage
VariabilityPoint

No Data Available