UMLR — UML transition-centric state machine arrows (01) alternative exit pt vs entry pt notation

In the UML 2.5 spec Figure 14.31 shows and the text describes the alternative exit point notation as a bracketed space

— (exit point name) —

The UML 2.5 spec in Figure 14.30 shows and the text describes the alternative entry point notation as a bracketed space with the string “via”.

— (via entry point name) →

This leaves the following, albeit pathological case:

1st state — (via pointName) → 2nd state

From the notation, you can’t be sure if “pointName” is the name of the entry point or if “via pointName” is the name of the exit point.

One possible interpretation of the spec goes back to diagram in 14.32 and notices that there is no “leaving arrow head” (→) from the symbol for the exit point, but there is one for the entry point. If this is not accidental, then

1st state — (via pointName) → 2nd state

means the entry point pointName

And the

1st state — (via pointName) — 2nd state

means the exit point “via pointName”

However, this is pretty obscure and if intended should be clarified in the spec. If not intended, either “via” should be explicitly reserved (not allowed) in exit point names or the notation modified to distinguish them.