How to add custom properties to Rhapsody using various options

Answer

There are several ways to do add custom properties to IBM Rational Rhapsody, each method having advantages and disadvantages depending on the requirements of your current task:

• Manually editing the property files
  You can manually add custom properties to the site.prp file in the Rhapsody\Share\Properties folder.
  Rhapsody Documentation : Adding customized properties
  
  Advantages and disadvantages:
• These will be applicable to all projects in the future (+)
  
• Does not require knowledge of Rhapsody API (+)
  
• The properties must be added manually (-)
  
• Rhapsody must be restarted to take effect (-)
  
• Enable the ShowPropertiesButtonFromPropertiesPage feature
  This does not modify the property files as mentioned in the previous step, but instead adds them to the project .rpy file.
  Technote 1667385: How to create custom properties in the Rational Rhapsody User Interface
  
  Advantages and disadvantages:
• provides a convenient method for adding properties via the Rhapsody user interface. (+)
  
• Rhapsody does NOT require restart to take effect (+)
  
• Does not provide a similar method for removal via the Rhapsody user interface. See option below (-)
  
• Only adds the property to the current project. (-)
  
• Use the Rhapsody API
  This allows you to automate the creation/modification/removal of custom properties to the loaded project.
  Technote 1973545 : How to create custom Predefined Keywords in IBM Rational Rhapsody
  
  Advantages and disadvantages:
• Can be easily applied to any project using a plugin or .hep file (+)
  
• API can be used to remove unwanted properties from the project. For example, when added using option with enabling ShowPropertiesButtonFromPropertiesPage feature. (+)
  
• Rhapsody does NOT require restart to take effect (-)
  
• Requires basic knowledge and experience in using the Rhapsody API (-)