This introduction to the Unified Modeling Language, or UML, provides an overview of the most important diagrams used in the visual modeling of computing programs. The article is ideal for those who have little knowledge of UML concepts, including managers as well as novice practitioners.
1997 to be exact -- the Object Management Group (OMG) released the Unified Modeling Language (UML). One of the purposes of UML was to provide the development community with a stable and common design language that could be used to develop and build computer applications. UML brought forth a unified standard modeling notation that IT professionals had been wanting for years. Using UML, IT professionals could now read and disseminate system structure and design plans -- just as construction workers have been doing for years with blueprints of buildings.
It is now the twenty-first century -- 2003 to be precise -- and UML has gained traction in our profession. On 75 percent of the resumes I see, there is a bullet point claiming knowledge of UML. However, after speaking with a majority of these job candidates, it becomes clear that they do not truly know UML. Typically, they are either using it as a buzz word, or they have had a sliver of exposure to UML. This lack of understanding inspired me to write this quick introduction to UML, focused on the basic diagrams used in visual modeling. When you are finished reading you will not have enough knowledge to put UML on your resume, but you will have a starting point for digging more deeply into the language.
1997 to be exact -- the Object Management Group (OMG) released the Unified Modeling Language (UML). One of the purposes of UML was to provide the development community with a stable and common design language that could be used to develop and build computer applications. UML brought forth a unified standard modeling notation that IT professionals had been wanting for years. Using UML, IT professionals could now read and disseminate system structure and design plans -- just as construction workers have been doing for years with blueprints of buildings.
It is now the twenty-first century -- 2003 to be precise -- and UML has gained traction in our profession. On 75 percent of the resumes I see, there is a bullet point claiming knowledge of UML. However, after speaking with a majority of these job candidates, it becomes clear that they do not truly know UML. Typically, they are either using it as a buzz word, or they have had a sliver of exposure to UML. This lack of understanding inspired me to write this quick introduction to UML, focused on the basic diagrams used in visual modeling. When you are finished reading you will not have enough knowledge to put UML on your resume, but you will have a starting point for digging more deeply into the language.
