UML Distilled, Addison-Wesley
Microsoft .NET Framework, ASP.NET, Visual C# (CSharp, C Sharp, C-Sharp) Developer Training, Visual Studio
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Contents |
C# Online.NET Book Review
Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a technique used in object oriented analysis and design (OOAD) to plan, model, and communicate software designs using various diagrams. The totality of UML is enormous and detailed: This represents a barrier for beginners.
The author has written a book—now in its third edition—to introduce the basics of UML to novices, to those who want to learn to use the basic diagrams quickly, and to those who want to get the lay of the land prior to embarking on a formal study of UML. Specifically, the book is designed as a practical, brief introduction for practicing OO programmers rather than for computer scientists. In other words, the book will acquaint the reader with key UML concepts and terminology; but, it is not a substitute for formal, academic training.
The purpose of the book is to teach OO software developers how to communicate software behavior and structure effectively using UML diagrams—Activity Diagrams, Class Diagrams, Interaction Diagrams, Packages and Collaborations, Physical Diagrams, State Diagrams, and Use Cases. The ideal reader will already have some exposure to object oriented programming and the software development process.
Our author's credentials are impeccable. He is, also, the author of Analysis Patterns: Reusable Object Models, Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture, Planning Extreme Programming, and Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code. He is a leading exponent for refactoring. And, he is a frequent speaker at object technology conferences.
The book is a very easy—even pleasant—read considering the weightiness of the subject matter. In an informal style, the author introduces each major topic, presents clear definitions and examples, and shares his considerable personal experience. This 3rd edition represents a major overhaul; and, it is a significant improvement over previous editions. Many chapters were rewritten; and, there is new material incorporating UML 2.0.
This book is one of my personal favorites.
All of the source code examples are in either the C# or Java languages.
Bottom line
UML Distilled is the classic, lightweight introduction to UML for the practical planning and communication of OO designs.
From the back cover
- Would you like to understand the most important elements of Class diagrams? (See page 35.)
- Do you want to see the new UML 2.0 interaction frame notation for adding control flow to sequence diagrams (see page 58) and the unofficial notation that many prefer? (See page 60.)
- Do you want to know what changes have been made to all versions of the UML? (See page 151.)
- Do you want a quick reference to the most useful parts of the UML notation? (See the inside covers.)
- Do you want to find out what diagram types were added to the UML 2.0 without wading through the spec? (See page 11.)
More than 300,000 developers have benefited from past editions of UML Distilled. This third edition is the best resource for quick, no-nonsense insights into understanding and using UML 2.0 and prior versions of the UML.
Some readers will want to quickly get up to speed with the UML 2.0 and learn the essentials of the UML. Others will use this book as a handy, quick reference to the most common parts of the UML. The author delivers on both of these promises in a short, concise, and focused presentation.
This book describes all the major UML diagram types, what they're used for, and the basic notation involved in creating and deciphering them. These diagrams include class, sequence, object, package, deployment, use case, state machine, activity, communication, composite structure, component, interaction overview, and timing diagrams. The examples are clear and the explanations cut to the fundamental design logic.
If you are like most developers, you don't have time to keep up with all the new innovations in software engineering. This new edition of Fowler's classic work gets you acquainted with some of the best thinking about efficient object-oriented software design using the UML--in a convenient format that will be essential to anyone who designs software professionally.
About the author(s)
Martin Fowler is an independent consultant who has applied objects to pressing business problems for more than a decade. He has consulted on systems in fields such as health care, financial trading, and corporate finance. His clients include Chrysler, Citibank, UK National Health Service, Andersen Consulting, and Netscape Communications. In addition, Fowler is a regular speaker on objects, the Unified Modeling Language, and patterns.
Table of Contents (abbreviated)
1. Introduction.
2. Development Process.
3. Class Diagrams: The Essentials.
4. Sequence Diagrams.
5. Class Diagrams: Advanced Concepts.
6. Object Diagrams.
7. Package Diagrams.
8. Deployment Diagrams.
9. Use Cases.
10. State Machine Diagrams.
11. Activity Diagrams.
12. Communication Diagrams.
13. Composite Structures.
14. Component Diagrams.
15. Collaborations.
16. Interaction Overview Diagrams.
17. Timing Diagrams.
Appendix A Changes between UML Versions.
Bibliography.
