Executable UML

This timely new book, Executable UML: A Foundation for Model-Driven Architecture, thoroughly introduces, documents, and explains this important new technology. The authors show how UML can formalize requirements and use cases into a rich set of verifiable diagrams, how it can be used to produce executable and testable models, and how these models can be translated directly into code. In addition, the book explains how individual system domains are woven together by an executable UML model compiler.

The book is full of tips and techniques to help you:

• Partition a system into subject matters based on individual aspects
• Pick the right level for use case modeling to speed subject matter comprehension
• Model classes and focus on relationships to capture subject matter semantics precisely
• Express behavior using the newly adopted UML action semantics and action languages
• Specify constraints using tags specified in OCL (Object Constraint Language)

In addition, this book tackles topics of particular importance in execution, such as how to:

• Synchronize objects by building lifecycles using statechart diagrams
• Model relationships and contention safely
• Disdynamics to avoid unmaintainable controller objects
• Verify the models by executing test cases against the statechart diagrams and constraints

A large-scale, fully developed case study runs throughout the book to illustrate concepts and techniques.

Table of Contents

Foreword. Preface. Acknowledgments.

1. Introduction.

• Raising the Level of Abstraction.
• Executable UML.
• Making UML Executable.
• Model Compilers.
• Model-Driven Architecture.
• References.

2. Using Executable UML.

The System Model.

• Domain Identification.
• Use Cases.
• Iterating the System Model.

Modeling a Single Domain.

• Classes.
• State Machines.
• Procedures.
• Iterating the Domain Models.
• Iterating between System and Domain Modeling.

Verification and Execution.

• Model Verification.
• Model Compilation.
• Iterating Verification and Execution.

The Big Picture.

• References.

3. Domains and Bridges.

Domains.

• Domain Missions.
• Domain Autonomy.
• Domain Replacement.

Domains and Requirements. Bridges. Aspects and Join Points. Domains and Aspects. References.

4. Use Cases.

Basics of Use Cases.

• Actors.
• Use Cases.
• External Signals.

Single-Domain Use Cases. Levels of Use Cases. Applying Use Cases.

Activity Diagrams. Formalizing Use Cases. Preconditions. Postconditions. Linked Use Cases.

Scenarios and Testing. System Modeling. References.

5. Classes and Attributes.

Classes.

Finding Classes. Naming Classes. Attributes. Finding Attributes.

Attribute Data Types.

Core Data Types. Domain-Specific Data Types. Using Types.

Documenting Classes and Attributes.

Diagramming Classes and Attributes. Class Descriptions. Attribute Descriptions.

Checking Classes and Attributes.

Subject-Matter Check. Abstraction Checks. Attribute Checks.

Rules, Rules, Rules. References.

6. Relationships and Associations.

Associations.

Association Names. Association Meanings. Multiplicity.

Association Descriptions. Checking Associations.

Conditionality. Capturing the Correct Classes and Roles. Multiple Associations.

Association Classes. Generalization and Specialization.

The Concept of Generalization and Specialization. Mutual Exclusion and its Implications. Repeated Specialization. Multiple Generalization. Compound Generalization.

Reflexive Associations. The Class Model. References.

7. Class Actions.

Object and Attribute Actions. Selection Expressions. Link Actions. Link Object Actions. Generalization Hierarchies. Other Action Languages.

Small. Tall. Actions and Syntax.

References.

8. Constraints.

Unique Instance Constraints.

Single Attribute Identifiers. Multiple Attribute Identifiers. Multiple Identifiers.

Derived Attributes. Referential Constraints.

Referential Attributes. Derived Identifiers.

Association Loops.

Unconstrained Association Loops. Redundant Associations. Equal Set Constraints. Subset Constraints.

Constraints Capture Semantics. References.

9. Lifecycles.

Concept of a Lifecycle. State Machine.

Example Class with a State Machine. States. Events. Transitions. Procedures

State Transition Table.

Basics of the State Transition Table. Discovering New Transitions. Discovering New States and Events. Event Ignored and Can't Happen.

Creating and Deleting Objects.

Initial Pseudostates. Final Pseudostates.

Forming Lifecycles. Lifecycles for Classes. References.

10. Communicating Objects.

Signals.

Sending Signals. Event Parameters. Signals with Parameters. Signals to Self. Signals to External Entities.

Creating and Deleting Objects.

Asynchronous Creation and Deletion. Synchronous Creation and Deletion.

Visualizing Domain Dynamics.

Collaboration Diagrams. Concept of a Execution Trace. Sequencing Signals on a Collaboration Diagram. Sequence Diagram. Applicability.

Domain Dynamics.

11. Synchronizing Objects.

How to Think about Time. Rules about Signals. Rules about Procedures. Rules about Data Access. Delayed Signals and Time Events. Rules, Rules, Rules. References.

12. Using Lifecycles.

Statechart Diagram Construction Techniques.

Modeling Intention. Modeling Progression. Simultaneous Signals. Distinct Signals.

Reworking the Class Diagram.

Refactoring Behavior. Saving Signals in Data.

References.

13. Relationship Dynamics.

Dynamically Simple Associations.

Associations without Explicit Lifecycles. Dynamic Associations with Association Classes. Associations Involving Competition.

Competition in the Domain. Competition in the Models. An Example. Multi-Instance Contention. Object Selection and Selection Policies. Dynamics in Generalization Hierarchies. Superclass State Machines. Subclass State Machines. Polymorphic Events and Polymorphic Signals. Reclassification. Superclass State Machine. Subclass State Machines with Reclassification. References.

14. Domain Dynamics.

Partitioning Control. Control Strategies. Push and Pull Control. The Pivot Point Finding the Pivot. Delegation of Control. Hierarchical Delegation. Networked Delegation. Distributing Control in Associations. Input Conditioning. Input Sequencing. Distributing the Inputs. Distributed Dynamics. References.

15. Domain Verification.

Finding Unit Tests for a Single Use Case. Test Execution. System Tests. Finding Test Cases from the Models. The Verification Gap. References.

16. Model Management.

Dividing Large Domains. Subsystems and the Class Diagram. Collaborations between Subsystems. Adjusting Subsystem Partitioning. Model Management.

17. Joining Multiple Domains.

Kinds of Domains. Application User Interface. Generic Service Domains. Realized Domains. Anonymous Explicit Bridges. External Entities. Signals from External Entities. Signals to External Entities. Bridge Operations. Synchronous or Asynchronous Bridging? Implicit Bridging with Join Points. Rationale for Join Points. Class-Class Joins. Class-Instance Joins. Bridging to the Model Compiler.

18. Model Compilers.

Compiling the Models: The Bookstore. Mechanisms. Archetypes. Archetype Language. Model Compilers and the Software Platform. Fit. Buying, Modifying, and Building a Model Compiler. Modeling the Model Compiler as a Domain. References.

Appendix A. Glossary. Appendix B. Case Study.

Subsystem ProductSpecification. Subsystem Ordering. Subsystem Shipping. Domain Data Types. Object Collaboration Diagram.