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Unified Modeling Language (UML)

Updated 22 Jul 2026

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def
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  Unified Modeling Language
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  a standard language for specifying, visualizing, constructing, and documenting the artifacts of software systems
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background
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  created by the Object Management Group (OMG)
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  UML 1.0 specification draft proposed to the OMG in January 1997
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  has become an OMG standard
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characteristics
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  a pictorial/visual language, not a programming language
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  used to make software blueprints
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  can model both software and non-software systems
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  directly related to object-oriented analysis and design
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  tools can generate code in various languages from UML diagrams
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purpose
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  provides a general-purpose modeling language usable by all modelers
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  serves developers, business users, and non-technical stakeholders
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diagram types used in analysis
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  use case diagram — Use Case Diagram
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  class diagram — Class-based Modeling
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  state diagram — Behavioral Modeling
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  activity diagram — Scenario-based Modeling
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  sequence diagram — shows event processing order within use cases
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related

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