Book on EA for existing UML users

[MarkTompsett]

I don't think I can be unique in being an existing user familiar with UML and the disciplines surrounding it but wanting to know how to get the best out of EA.

The tutorials etc available on the site focus on teaching people about UML, which seems slightly odd as many people become interested in your product when they already understand UML, but want a good tool to use  - I mean better than Visio.

I searched Amazon for a book like "Enterprise Architect for Dummies" or "A Handbook on Enterprise Architect", or whatever and found nothing?  

Am I missing the point, somewhere, maybe?
Or is there something on the way?

Mark

[salayande]

I agree we need book(s). The reason being that EA supports many processes and architectural styles. This is a great opportunity for technical authors.

I'd be interested in seeing persons that participated in developing the different UML Profiles contribute to a "How -To" based on a common case study.



Segun

[MarkTompsett]

OK, that would be good.  

I appreciate the point about different methodologies, but I still think that UML has to be one of the leading ones, so a book like "Getting the Best out of Enterprise Architect for UML analysts" would be really good.  I would buy such a book (with my own money!).

Mark
 

[RoyC]

In the General category, Stefan Block posted the following:

I really got (successful) into modeling with EA recently. What really led my way was the book: "Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML" by Doug Rosenberg and Matt Stephens. I got two major things out of that book: First they offer a very straight path from use cases to code, the ICONIX process. No matter what language or framework you are using. I guess this is what you are asking for. Second, they do it with EA.
So it is not an EA manual, but describes (part of) the most important solutions EA offers, how to use them and how to connect them. A path through, so to speak.
Apart from that it is the most "unambigiuous"  book i ever read about Software modeling.

Perhaps that book might be useful for you too?

[MarkTompsett]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Unfortunately it is not available in paperback (in UK)...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Use-Case-Driven-Object-Modeling/dp/0321278275/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252481210&sr=8-4
...although it is available in hard-back.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Use-Case-Driven-Object-Modeling/dp/1590597745/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252481464&sr=8-1
... including second hand.

Thanks again
Mark

[NeilS]

I'd agree with Roy - the only book/ article in sufficient depth I have found is the Rosenberg one.  We only really got to grips with EA once I'd read this.

Personally I think its mandatory reading for EA users - and worth every penny even if its hardback!

Neil

[MarkTompsett]

With an endorsement like that I guess Sparx should promote it on their web site?

Mark

[salayande]

I once purchased a CD-ROM that held presentation material on Rosenbergs approach to software development. There was a link to this on Sparx web site.

Other users of EA for Enterprise Architecture will have to look elsewhere.

Segun

[RoyC]

We do actually have a web page that talks about ICONIX, and that recommends the book (and the CD). Here is the link:

http://www.sparxsystems.com/partners/iconix/

The book section links to the same Amazon site that Mark investigated, but you might glean other useful information from ICONIX's own website.

[MarkTompsett]

Sure, but anyone lookiong for a book on EA wouldn't look there - certainly I didn't.  I looked here...

http://www.sparxsystems.com/resources/index.html

.. so why not mention the book there too?
Maybe in a different context, of course.

Mark 8-)

[RoyC]

You are absolutely right, Mark.

It is quite likely that a reference to Doug Rosenberg's book (and other useful texts concerning EA, UML Modeling and related subjects) will be put up on the forthcoming Sparx Systems Community Portal, perhaps with Neil and Stefan's endorsements?

Our 'How to...' booklets (also coming soon) could also cross-link to these external texts.

[NeilS]

The Rosenberg book and the CD Enterprise Architect for Power Users will get you a long way.  You won't get the best out of ea without them.

Although nothing to do with EA as such I have found the Bittner/ Spence book very useful indeed, supplemented b Overgaard/ Palmkvist.

What is lacking is how to structure ea to deal with developing a product over several releases.

Here I have a core model and drag in use cases from projects as they get changed/ augmented over release cycles.  Have no idea whether this is the official way but it seems to work!

[«Midnight»]

Which Bittner/Spence are you referring to? The 'Use Cases' and 'Managing' books are both pretty good.

[NeilS]

Use Case Modelling is the one I've read.  I can quite believe that anything else they've done would also be worthwhile.