UML

1.1. Overview

Eclipse supports the creation of UML2 diagrams via UML2 Tools project. UML2 Tools is a set of GMF-based editors for viewing and editing UML models.

1.2. Definition

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a visual language for capturing software designs and patterns. The first version of UML was defined 1994 and released by the Object Management Group (OMG) in 1997 as UML v.1.1. The syntax and a semantic of UML is defined by the OMG.

The basic building block for UML is a diagram. UML divides diagrams into structural diagrams and behavioral diagrams

The latest version UML 2 has the target to add the ability for modelers to capture more system behavior. UML 2 has the target to support model driving architectures (MDA). MDA has the target to create automatically a software program from several models.

1.3. UML Profiles

UML is intended to be extended. The formal way to extending a UML model is via a UML profile. A UML profile a a collection of UML stereotypes and constraints on elements that map the generic UML to a specific problem domain or implementation. For example a UML profile can be used to support the modeling of J2EE software components.