1.
Class Diagrams
What They Show: Class diagrams are like blueprints for a system. They show different types
of objects (called classes) and how they relate to each other.
Analogy: Think of a class diagram as the floor plan of a house. It tells you about the rooms
(classes) and how they connect, but it doesn’t show the furniture (actual objects).
2. Object Diagrams
What They Show: Object diagrams show actual instances of the classes and how they relate
at a specific time.
Analogy: If the class diagram is the blueprint, the object diagram is a snapshot of the
decorated house at a particular moment.
3. Use Case Diagrams
What They Show: Use case diagrams illustrate how users (called actors) interact with the
system and what functions they can perform.
Analogy: Imagine a theater script. The use case diagram shows the actors (users) and the
scenes (functions) they participate in.
4. Interaction Diagrams
What They Show: Interaction diagrams (which include sequence and collaboration diagrams)
explain how objects communicate with each other over time.
o Sequence Diagrams: Focus on the order of messages exchanged between objects.
o Collaboration Diagrams: Focus on how objects are related and work together.
Analogy: Picture a group conversation. A sequence diagram shows who talks when, while a
collaboration diagram shows who is in the conversation and their relationships.
5. Statechart Diagrams
What They Show: Statechart diagrams display different states an object can be in and the
events that trigger changes.
Analogy: Think of a traffic light. The statechart shows the light being green, yellow, or red,
and how it changes based on time or traffic.
6. Activity Diagrams
What They Show: Activity diagrams outline the flow of tasks and activities within a system.
Analogy: Imagine following a recipe. The activity diagram shows each step needed to make a
dish and how they connect.
7. Component Diagrams
What They Show: Component diagrams show how different parts of a system are organized
and how they depend on each other.
Analogy: Think of a car. A component diagram shows the various parts (like the engine and
wheels) and how they fit together to make the car function.
8. Deployment Diagrams
What They Show: Deployment diagrams illustrate where software is installed on hardware
(like servers).
Analogy: Consider how a concert is set up. A deployment diagram shows where each
musician (software) is positioned on stage (servers) and how the equipment (nodes) is
arranged.
