UML vs Flowchart Assignment
Assignment
1. Differentiate Between UML and Flowchart
Think of UML and flowcharts as tools for visual communication in software and systems, but they serve
different purposes and have different levels of complexity.
Definition and Purpose:
- UML (Unified Modeling Language):
- A standardized modeling language used to design, visualize, and document software systems.
- Acts as a blueprint for software development.
- Useful throughout the entire software development lifecycle.
- Flowchart:
- A simple diagram used to represent the flow of steps in a process or algorithm.
- Best for visualizing logical operations or decision-making in code or business processes.
Comparison Table:
Feature | UML | Flowchart
------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------
Purpose | Modeling complete software systems | Illustrating algorithms or processes
Complexity | More complex with multiple diagram types | Simple with basic symbols
Scope | System-wide (structure, behavior, interaction) | Specific to one process or function
UML vs Flowchart Assignment
Usage | Full software development lifecycle | Algorithm design and process documentation
Expressiveness | Very expressive; supports detailed modeling | Less expressive; best for simple logic
2. Summary of the History of UML
Before the 1990s, developers used different object-oriented modeling techniques, such as:
- Booch Method - by Grady Booch
- Object Modeling Technique (OMT) - by James Rumbaugh
- Object-Oriented Software Engineering (OOSE) - by Ivar Jacobson
These methods had varying notations, causing inconsistency. Recognizing the need for a unified standard,
the three experts-nicknamed the "Three Amigos"-collaborated at Rational Software Corporation to create a
single modeling language.
Key Historical Milestones:
- 1995: UML 0.9 released (initial draft)
- 1997: UML 1.0 released - the first official version
- 2005: UML 2.0 released - a major update that added more diagrams and improved modeling for complex
and embedded systems
- 2005 to Present: Several minor revisions (UML 2.1 to UML 2.5) to fix issues and refine the language
Today, UML is managed by the Object Management Group (OMG) and remains an essential tool for
modeling software, especially in large-scale or object-oriented systems, even alongside agile methodologies.
3. Simple UML Diagrams (Example: Turning On a Light)
UML vs Flowchart Assignment
Below are three basic UML diagrams illustrating how a light can be turned on using a switch.
A. Class Diagram
+---------+ +--------+
| Switch | ----> | Light |
+---------+ +--------+
| - isOn: Boolean | - isOn: Boolean |
| + turnOn(): void| + illuminate(): void |
| + turnOff(): void| + extinguish(): void|
+---------+ +--------+
Explanation:
- Two classes: Switch and Light
- Both have an isOn attribute and methods to control the light.
- The arrow shows association-the switch controls the light.
B. Use Case Diagram
+--------+
| User |
+--------+
/\
/ \
UML vs Flowchart Assignment
+----------+ +----------+
| Turn On | | Turn Off |
| Light | | Light |
+----------+ +----------+
Explanation:
- Actor: User
- Use Cases: Turn On Light, Turn Off Light
- Shows what the user can do in the system.
C. Activity Diagram
+----------+
| Start |
+----------+
+------------------+
| Flip the Switch |
+------------------+
+------------------+
| [Switch is ON] |
+------------------+
UML vs Flowchart Assignment
+------------------+
| Light Turns ON |
+------------------+
+----------+
| End |
+----------+
Explanation:
- Flow of actions to turn on a light.
- Includes a decision: if switch is ON, then light turns on.
- Ends after the light is turned on.
