UML Bible

The UML Bible is a comprehensive guide to the principles, standards, and application of the Unified Modeling Language for versions 1.4 and 2.0. The book provides a comprehensive look at the modeling standard that has so radically affected the software industry over the past ten years. After several years of real-world application and feedback, UML 2.0 has just been adopted by the Object Management Group (OMG). The UML Bible provides complete coverage of the new and improved models of UML 2.0 along with a comparison to UML 1.4 to assist in the transition of your investment in existing models and tools.

The UML Bible uses a case study modeling the features of a Theater System. Take a look at the analysis level models in either PDF format or the original MagicDraw 7.0 files found on the download page.

Note: You will need a Acrobat Reader to view files in PDF format. Download it from Adobe's web site. If you don't have a program to open ZIP archives, try WinZip.

Tom Pender has more than 20 years of systems development experience in a variety of industries and technologies. He has written a number of online and classroom courses on UML as well as the two Wiley Technology Publishing books:

• UML Weekend Crash Course on Wiley.com.
• UML Bible on Wiley.com.

Additional Resources

UML

The Object Management Group is the steward of the UML standard. Its sites provide access to all of its published standards, including all versions of the UML.

• http://www.uml.org/
• http://www.omg.org/uml/
• http://www.uml-forum.com/ provides a discussion forum for all things UML-related.
• http://www.softdocwiz.com/ UML.htm provides an online dictionary for UML terminology. Most of the terms are taken directly from the specifications. Note also that many sites like this one are currently transitioning their material from UML 1.4 to UML 2.0.

The Objects by Design web site provides comprehensive access to information and forums related to object-oriented programming, including modeling tools and UML in general.

UML Modeling Tools

To exploit UML you really need a modeling tool. The tools maintain the repository of all model elements, provide syntax checking, reporting, code generation, reverse engineering, code/model synchronization, and much more. The Objects by Design Web site contains a comprehensive list of vendors. Here are a few I’ve worked with and feel confident recommending:

• MagicDraw by No Magic, Inc.
• System Architect by Popkin Software
• Poseidon for UML by Gentleware AG

The price ranges and features of UML modeling products vary widely. Refer to Chapter 20, “Using a Modeling Tool,” for some help with evaluation criteria.

Free UML Modeling tools:

Nearly all UML modeling tool vendors provide evaluation copies of their products. But I know of a few free tools that offer substantial features. You might consider these tools as a way to get familiar with modeling issues and to develop your own evaluation criteria from some hands-on experience before taking the plunge with a costly tool.

• ArgoUML by Tigris.org:
• Poseidon Community Edition by Gentleware AG
• Visual Paradigm for UML by Visual Paradigm

UML Conferences, forums, and tips

• http://www.umlconference.org/
• http://www.uml-forum.com/
• http://www.sdmagazine.com/uml/

Online courses

I also developed some online courses for DigitalThink.com. They can be found in the catalog under Information Technology/Programming/Object Programming:

• UML Fundamentals
• Object-Oriented Analysis I: Project Life Cycle & Requirements
• Object-Oriented Analysis II: Problem Analysis
• Object-Oriented Design: System and Object Design

Model Driven Architecture

UML is an integral part of the larger OMG strategy called Model Driven Architecture. The Web sites http://www.omg.org/mda/ and http://www.projtech.com/info/mda.html provide details about the strategy, the role of UML, and current projects that are applying MDA, including many that are fully exploiting UML in the form of Executable UML.

Executable UML

For more information about executable UML try these sites:

• http://www.kc.com/MDA/xuml.html
• http://www.devx.com/Enterprise/Article/10717
• http://www.projtech.com/pubs/current/summary.html
• http://www.eet.com/printableArticle?doc_id=OEG20021115S0045

Also check out the following books on executable UML:

• Executable UML: A Foundation for Model Driven Architecture by Stephen Mellor and Marc Balcer
• Executable UML by Leon Starr
• Executable UML: How to Build Class Models by Leon Starr