UML Resources

UML® Overview

The Unified Modeling Language™ is an industry standard that was set up by the Object Management Group OMG for modeling and documenting the development process for Object Oriented systems. It provides a framework for the development process to include everything from the requirements specifications through architectural design down to the coding and documentation of the testing.

This standard defines rules and notations for specifying business and software systems. The notation supplies a rich set of graphic elements for modeling object oriented systems, and the rules state how those elements may be connected and used. UML is not a tool for creating software systems. Instead, it is a visual language for communicating, modeling, specifying and defining systems.

This language is designed to be flexible, extendable and comprehensive, yet generic enough to serve as a foundation for all system modeling needs. With its specification, there is a wide range of elements characterized by the kinds of diagrams they serve, and the attributes they proved. All can be further specified by using stereotypes, tags, and profiles.

Wide range of Application

Although initially conceived as a language for software development, UML may be used to model a wide range or real world domains. For example, UML can be used to model many real world Processes (in business, science, industry, education and elsewhere), Organizational Hierarchies, Deployment maps and much more.

UML 2.3

UML 2.3 is the current industry standard that has recently been ratified by the OMG. Sparx Systems have been deeply committed to seeing this standard implemented across the full functionality of the design process. For more information on the OMG and UML 2.3 see UML resources.

Enterprise Architect

Enterprise Architect's modeling platform is based on the UML 2.3 standard. EA supports all 14 diagrams of the UML 2.3 specification. EA also supports OMG XMI® 1.2 as well as number of OMG UML profiles.

Sparx Systems are also committed to developing and evolving OMG's MDA® support within Enterprise Architect. Enterprise Architect offers a number of tools targeted at MDA driven development, including a comprehensive PIM to PSM Transformation Engine.

Extending EA and UML for new Domains

Using UML Profiles, Patterns, Grammars, Data types, Constraints and other extensions, UML and EA may be tailored to address a particular modeling Domain not explicitly covered in the original UML specification. EA makes extending the UML simple and straightforward, and best of all, the extension mechanism is still part of the UML Specification.

For additional information regarding the UML 2.3 standard, or general UML information, visit the Object Management Group (OMG) website www.omg.org/uml.

UML, Unified Modeling Language, the UML Logo, MDA and XMI are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Object Management Group, Inc., in the United States and other countries.