UML

Model Language: UML (Unified Modeling Language)

Overview:
UML is a well known modeling language that is used to model software systems during the development phase. UML2.X provides a graphical notation including 14 kinds of diagrams to create visual models of software systems supporting multiple views. The diagrams are categorized into two groups: a) structure diagrams such as class and deployment diagram, and b) behaviour diagrams such as interaction and activity diagram.
UML also supports a standard extension mechanism by defining profiles which extends the UML meta model for different domains. OMG has standardized several profiles for real-time domain, for SOA, for testing, etc.

Target: Software

Sponsor: OMG (Object Management Group)

Website: http://www.omg.org/spec/UML/

Modeling Views:
1.Structure:
- Class Diagram.
- Component Diagram.
- Composite Structure Diagram.
- Deployment Diagram.
- Object Diagram.

2.Behavior:
- Activity Diagram.
- Interaction diagram.
- Sequence diagram.
- State Machine Diagram.

Recommended Modeling Tools:
1. IBM Rational Software Architecture (RSA).
2. Eclipse (Modeling Version) -- Free Tool.
3. Magic Draw.
4. Smart Draw.
5. MS Visio.

Related topics:


Examples

1) Electronic Prescribing System. This example was modeled using IBM Rational Software Architecture (RSA7.0).

The activity model:

1. The initiator begins by requesting a prescription.
2. Next, the physician identifies the patient by processing his record.
3. Followed by two processes evaluating the patient factors (such as allergies, pregnancy, and current/past medical condition) and medication factors (such as allergy information, warnings, and adverse reactions).
4. Next, a process checks the insurance coverage.
5. Once this is done, the physician decides whether to prescribe or not.
6. If yes, it updates the patient record and notifies the pharmacy.

 

 

 

Deployment diagram shows the allocation of software to hardware. Nodes indicate physical communication links or processor resources hosting the components deployed to it. Artifacts indicate a process with a thread pool.