Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? This course provides comprehensive coverage of the Unified Modeling Language (UML), Verison 2. It introduces the concepts of object-orientation and how UML fits into a software development life cycle. These concepts need to be understood in order to write and read UML models. In this course, you learn how to communicate models effectively through the use of UML. What background do I need? It is essential that you come to this course with an appreciation of the problems inherent in large-scale software development projects and the need for effective communication between interested parties. Some programming experience and familiarity with object-oriented concepts are helpful, but not required. Who will benefit from this course? UML is the industry-standard notation for communicating models of a system within development teams. Consequently all members of the team, including subject-matter experts, analysts, designers, programmers and project managers need to know UML, and would benefit from taking this course. My job doesn't require me to generate UML, but I need to know how to read it. Is this course for me? Yes, definitely! We recognise that more people will need to interpret existing UML models than to produce new ones. Many of the exercises are designed to reinforce the understanding of UML models as well as the ability to generate them. Does this course cover all of UML? Each of the diagram types and its semantics is covered in detail. However, the emphasis is on choosing and using the appropriate parts of this rich notation for your specific needs. What is UML? Effective communication is critical in all aspects of software development projects and necessary to ensure their timely and cost-effective completion. UML has been adopted as an industry-wide standard, effectively replacing all previous system modelling notations. "UML is a graphical language for visualising, specifying, constructing and documenting the artifacts of a software-intensive system." [The UML User Guide, Booch 1999]. Booch says that UML is also used for modelling non-software aspects of systems. UML specifies a set of diagrams that allow the structural, behavioural and architectural aspects of a system to be modeled, whether that system is a Java program, a software design or even a business process. The notation is very rich, and a given model typically uses only a subset. Is this course specific to any particular programming language, CASE tool, process or methodology? No. A key advantage of UML is that it is not specific to any language, tool or method. However, the course gives examples of how UML relates to languages including C++ and Java. You use Enterprise Architect as the CASE tool, however the concepts taught are applicable to a variety of CASE tools. We discuss the relationship between UML and the Unified Process, the latest methodology. What CASE tools does the course use? To reflect market trends, the tools we use may change over time. Presently, we use Enterprise Architect. How much time is devoted to each topic? Content Hours Introduction to UML 3.5 Modelling the behaviour of a system 5.0 Modelling the structure of a system 4.5 Representing state machines 3.0 Architectural modelling 3.0 Applying UML 2.0 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. What kinds of practical exercises will I perform? The course devotes 25 to 40 percent of class time to hands-on exercises. Using examples drawn from business and real-time application types, you interpret, modify, draw and extend UML diagrams using CASE tools. You also forward- and reverse-engineer code in a variety of languages and generate documentation automatically from models. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? 323, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML: Hands-On provides a concentrated study of how to analyse your needs and design an object-oriented system to meet those needs. The course takes you through generating an actual design document, and briefly discusses how designs translate into various language implementations. You can take Course 323 either before or after Course 216. 318, Building Java Enterprise Applications with Design Patterns: Hands-On helps Java and C++ developers build object-oriented applications that are simpler, easy to maintain and understand, yet adaptable to changing requirements. 194, Hands-On Visio®: Designing Effective Visual Solutions provides the hands-on skills to use the Visio templates and stencils to quickly create sophisticated diagrams.

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