This is a notational language used in software engineering. Generally, it’s most useful for visualising, specifying, describing or listing large-scale information systems in organisations. UML is a compound tool that contains and follows the best software engineering practices available. It’s particularly useful for object-oriented programming and the development of large, complex software projects.
Technipages Explains Unified Modeling Language (UML)
With UML, developers can create diagrams as visual representations of how the different elements of their software work together and interact later in the development process. The UML standards are maintained by the Object Management Group or OMG, after being developed by a large group of industry partners and professionals. The reason for its development was the lack of a standard modelling language when it came to visualising development processes and steps. This lack of tool actually delayed the implementation of object-oriented approaches in larger projects of system development, as having a centralised tool that can be understood across individual projects and work units means that it’s easier for developers to join a project or catch up on missed steps later in the development process.
UML visualisation tools can also help make content easier to understand for laymen that aren’t familiar with object-oriented programming, or the overall development life cycle of software. Developed and refined between 1994 and 1996, UML is now a staple tool when it comes to showing the inner workings of a software project. It can visualise things such as activities, components that are part of the system, user interfaces, the steps data follows through the program and more, leading to a detailed diagram of the overall software.
Common Uses of Unified Modeling Language (UML)
- UML is used to visualise software processes.
- Now a staple in development, UML helped along the popularisation of object-oriented programming.
- UML is a great tool to help developers catch up on or join in on a project later in the development process.
Common Misuses of Unified Modeling Language (UML)
- Unified modelling language is a programming language.
