The UML Class Diagram is a graphical notation used to construct and visualize object-oriented systems. The UML (Unified Modeling Language) can help model systems in various ways. One of the more popular types in UML is the class diagram, which is popular among software engineers to document software architecture, class diagrams are a type of structure diagram because they describe what must be present in the system being modeled. The most positive point about UML or class diagrams, it is that it has been designed to be simple and easy to use.
When using the UML, the class shape itself while writing the code and it consists of a rectangle with three rows. The top is for the name of the class, the middle row contains the attributes of the class, and the bottom one expresses the methods or operations that the class may use. Classes and subclasses are grouped together to show the static relationship between each object.
Perspectives of Class Diagram
The choice of perspective depends on how far along you are in the development process. A diagram can be interpreted from various perspectives:
- Conceptual: which represents the concepts in the domain
- Specification: whose focus is on the interfaces of Abstract Data Type (ADTs) in the software.
- Implementation: which describes how classes will implement their interfaces.
Relationships between classes
Classes are interrelated to each other in specific ways. In particular, relationships in class diagrams include different types of logical connections. The following are the types of logical connections that are possible in UML:
- Association
- Directed Association
- Reflexive Association
- Multiplicity
- Aggregation
- Composition
- Inheritance
- Realization
I chose this topic because I am interested in Software Development and UML Class Diagram is an important tool for software engineer. Class diagrams are the heart of UML. They are based on the principles of object orientation and can be implemented in various phases of a project. During the analysis they appear as the domain model where they attempt to create a representation of reality.
Working on activities in class and homework on UML Class Diagram made me understand more easier how to write programming projects. It’s simple, easy to read and today I can write a code based on a UML diagram or design a UML diagram while writing a code based on what project I want to do. Class diagram gives a sense of orientation and provides detailed insight into the structure of the systems. Class diagrams are a vital part of any software development project and they form the foundation of all software products.
UML Class Diagram Tutorial | Lucidchart
Class Diagram Relationships in UML Explained with Examples (creately.com)
From the blog CS@Worcester – Software Intellect by rkitenge91 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.