Introduction
It isn't useful to discuss specific UML tools in detail because this is a rapidly changing subjectinformation is quickly stale. However, this chapter points out some common features and the use of such tools for "UML as blueprint."As mentioned, three ways people wish to apply UML include:
- UML as sketch .
- UML as blueprint
This applies to both code and diagram generation. Relatively detailed diagrams guide some code generation (e.g., Java) with a tool. And diagrams are generated from the code to visualize the code base. After generating code, many fine details are usually filled in by developers while programming. - UML as programming language
Complete executable specification of a software system in UML. Executable code will be automatically generated (or a virtual machine directly interprets UML), but is not normally seen or modified by developers; one works only in the UML "programming language."
The first and second ways are common. Most UML tools support the second approach, UML as blueprint, rather than UML as programming language.