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Unified Modeling Language (UML)
Unified Modeling Language is a graphical visualisation language. It consists of a series of symbols and connectors that can be used to create process diagrams and is often used to model computer programs and workflows.
The UML standard defines nine types of diagram:
- Activity: model the flow of a system from action to response
- Class: define the structure of a system
- Collaboration: represents interaction between objects as a series of messages
- Component: describe the organisation of software components
- Deployment: depict the physical resources of a system
- Object: describe the static structure of a system at a particular time
- Package: method of organising the elements of a system into related groups
- Use Case: models the functionality of a system in terms of user interaction
- Sequence: describes the interaction between classes in terms of message exchange
- Statechart: describe the dynamic behaviour of a system in response to external stimulus
Although primarily created to support software development, UML diagrams can be used to visualise website structure and user interaction.
Reference links
- How
to draw UML diagrams (SmartDraw)
Provides symbol legends and samples for each type of UML diagram - UML activity diagramming guidelines (Scott W Ambler, Agile Modelling)
- UML [Notation] reference
card (Holub Associates)
Sample UML diagrams, including symbol definition - UML resource center (IBM)
The ‘Learning about the UML’ content includes links to PDF documents explaining the history and application of UML along with sample diagrams. - UML
Specification (Object Management Group)
Home of the official specification documentation.
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