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Unified Modeling Language (UML) Introduction

In this tutorial, we will learn about the unified modeling language (UML), its features. By Monika Sharma Last updated : April 05, 2023

What is Unified Modeling Language (UML)?

UML, which stands for unified modeling language is a language used for modeling purposes. When the software design or software model is created, different diagrams for the software are to be created, like the use case diagrams, activity diagrams, data flow diagrams, etc. So, to provide ease to the software designers, the UML was created. This Language already has a set of specified elements that are often used while making the software models, like rectangles for classes, eclipse for use cases, etc. This set of elements can be readily used by the system designers without having to, again and again, specify the shapes for what purpose they are being used for.

It should be noted that though UML is a modeling language, though it follows its particular syntax like the programming languages, and if this syntax is not followed, then your model diagram is not considered appropriate and there may be chances that your model is missing some element or some relation between the elements.

The UML is used to design the software which follows the object-oriented design strategy. Thus, all the models which are used to represent the object-oriented software model pictorially, like the activity diagram, use case diagram, class diagram, etc., can all be represented through this language, i.e. UML.

Features of Unified Modelling Language (UML)

• UML is not the system design or any model methodology, but it is a modeling language that can help us make the system design and models.
• The UML is used to pictorially represent the Object-Oriented software models.
• The UML was proposed to validate a standard notation and specific principles to all the models that were being designed. This was done so that a common procedure could be set for the designing of the software.
• It has specified notations for all the diagrams and elements and also has a defined structure for each of them. This syntax cannot be violated. This ensures the correctness in the model diagrams that no element or relation in the model is missing.

Which views can be implemented through UML diagram?

The UML is used for designing various diagrams, but it is important to note the different views that can be implemented with the help of the UML. 5 different views can be visualized through the UML. These five views are as follows:

1. User's Views
2. Structural Views
3. Behavioral Views
4. Environmental View
5. Implementation View

Through these views, 9 different types of diagrams for the software model can be represented. We will study about these views and the diagrams that can be implemented through these diagrams in detail in the upcoming articles.

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