UML and web applications

[LHons]

Hello, I am not familiar in this topic. I am staying before problem to convert our information and manufacturing system to object model. Our system is web applicaton and I don't know if UML and Enterprice Architect is the right tool for this. Please can you advise me and recommend me where I shoud start. Thank you...

[michael_rainwater]

If you want an object model, then UML is definitely the language you want to use to express it.  Since UML is simply a modeling language, it is the standard method for expressing object models for any system (web or otherwise).

If you are wanting to reverse engineer your model, then will want a tool that can support the language(s) of your system.   But be warned... any such system will only show you what you have.  If your system does not have a clear structure, then don't expect any model you produce to have one either.  In fact, the model may show you how unstructured the system is.

It is my experience that any system built without a model, will be a mess when you try to model it.  If you built a house without a plan, and then tried to draw that plan after the fact (based on the reality of the house) then you would likely see big flaws in the design... because it wasn't really designed.  The same is true of most applications in my experience.

As far as a tool is concerned, I have to admit a bit of bias.  The more I use EA the more I like it.  You need to select the tool that is right for you.  But you should give EA a far shot.  Don't give up too soon.  There are many, many features and it can be overwhelming at first.  This is true of other tools too.

But this forum is a great place to ask questions and get help.

I recomend you jump in and start.  I am also doing Web applications (as well as desktop) and I use EA every day.

[TrtnJohn]

Mike is 100% right when it comes to existing applications.  But, don't let that disuade you from trying to model your system from now on.  Start off small and try and work modeling into your design practices for all new features.  

UML is especially useful for designing Web Applications.  Most Web Application tend to empahsize a page design instead of a system design.  Without good modeling you may never recognize your true business objects and instead just build scripted page after page.