UML class diagrams depict the structural view of the system and capture the classes involved and the static relationships between them.
Even a small software project is likely to be depicted in several diagrams, each capturing a different aspect of the system.
This write-up takes a whirlwind tour of class diagrams.
The bigger picture:
Class diagrams fit into the bigger picture of the Rational Unified Process which uses UML as a modelling notation and are important artifacts in the Analysis and Design workflow with the Architect and Designer as the primary workers.
Classes and Inheritance
An object is anything that has state, behavior and identity.
A class is a blueprint or prototype that defines the variables and methods common to all objects of a certain kind, common behavior, common relationships and common semantics.
A class is drawn as a rectangle with three compartments.
Classes should be named using the vocabulary of the domain.
- The behavior of a class is represented by its operations and operations may be found by examining interaction diagrams.
- The structure of a class is represented by its attributes. Attributes may be found by examining class definitions, the problem requirements, and by applying domain knowledge
This is a diagram representation of a class named Class:
Notes (in boxes with a flipped corner) can be attached to a class just as they can be attached to virtually all elements of a diagram.
The author has over three and a half years of experience on developing web and object oriented application with a development focus on server side and enterprise Java .He is a regular writer for the European publication "Programmez!" and writes on and of for some online publications. He can be reached at sameertyagi@usa.net
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