Edge Styles Guide

In Meshery, the line that connects components is called an edge. Each edge visually represents a relationship and uses a specific style to communicate its nature.

This guide helps you interpret the most common edge styles you will encounter.

Interpreting Common Edge Styles

Meshery uses a set of default visual styles to provide at-a-glance information about the type of connection an edge represents. While these styles can be customized in the UI, understanding the defaults is key to interpreting component relationships.

Line Style: The Primary Indicator

The line style is the most important visual cue for understanding an edge’s purpose.

  • Dotted Line:
    • What it means: A semantic relationship. This represents a real, functional connection that Meshery understands and can manage, such as a network link or a volume mount.
    • When you’ll see it: These lines indicate active relationships between components, showing how they interact and communicate. The dotted pattern represents dynamic connections, while arrowheads show the direction of data flow or dependency.
  • Solid Line:
    • What it means: A non-semantic annotation. This is a visual note or organizational aid for human interpretation only. Meshery’s engine ignores these connections.
    • When you’ll see it: These lines represent static or conceptual relationships between components. They help visualize structural connections or highlight specific component groupings without implying active data flow.

Color: A Secondary Cue

Color provides an additional hint about an edge’s nature.

  • Green / Teal:
    • This is the default color for non-semantic annotations, helping them stand out from functional connections.
  • Blue / Grey:
    • These are the typical default colors for semantic relationships.

The following gallery showcases the full range of visual styles available for edges in Meshery.

Edge
Arrow Head
Represents general direction or flow in diagrams. In UML, it could indicate direction in an association or dependency.
Edge
Bezier Curve Line
Used for curved relationships, which might indicate non-linear or non-direct connections. In UML, it could be used for inheritance or flow that isn't straightforward.
Edge
Filled Circle Head
Used for aggregation in UML, where one class contains another but does not own it (e.g., a library containing books).
Edge
Filled Diamond Head
Used for aggregation in UML, typically an empty diamond at the container end, indicating a "whole-part" relationship.
Edge
Filled Square Head
Represents composition in UML, a stronger relationship than aggregation, where the contained class cannot exist without the container (e.g., a house and its rooms).
Edge
Filled Triangle Head
Often used for inheritance in UML, where one class is a subclass of another. It indicates the "is-a" relationship.
Edge
Line With Circles
Often represents a weak or indirect association in UML. It can also be used for dependencies or indicating optional relationships.
Edge
Smooth Line With Circle
Represents a smooth transition or flow between elements. It could be used in scenarios where gradual change or influence is depicted.
Edge
Straight Line
Represents a simple association or direct relationship between two entities or classes in UML.
Edge
Tree Line
Represents hierarchical relationships, such as a parent class with child classes, or a main system branching into subsystems.
Edge
Wave Line
Typically used to represent asynchronous signals or connections that aren't continuous. It may also denote complex relationships or uncertain flows in certain custom diagrams.
Edge
Zigzag Line
This is often used to represent signals with interference or noise. In system design, it can be used to indicate a disrupted or unreliable connection.

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