UseCase Diag.

The graphical editor dedicated to the Use Case Diagram has been specified from the UML 2.0 Superstructure Specification document. Feel free to bring your own remarks about the way UML concepts were represented in this diagram : we could discuss about that on the user mailing list .

1. Creation of the diagram

1.1. From the wizard

You can use the creation wizard to create a new usecase diagram. Select the corresponding Template to initialize the model.

selectTemplate

The root element of the UML model is a Model and it contains a Package as its children element. The diagram is then linked with the Package.

1.2. From an existing diagram

The usecase diagram is necessarily associated with a Package model object.

modelHierarchy

Then you can create a new diagram by selecting a Package node in the Outline : " Right Click > Add Diagram " and select " UseCase Diagram ".

2. Editing of the Diagram

2.1. Basic editing

2.1.1. Package

To create a new Package, select the 'Package' creation tool in the palette and then click on the diagram. The name of the Package is editable directly in the editor or in the Properties View. Then, you can associate a new diagram by double clicking on the element.

2.1.2. Actor

To create a new Actor, select the 'Actor' creation tool in the palette and then click on the diagram. The name of the Actor is editable directly in the editor or in the Properties View.

2.1.3. Use Case

To create a new Use Case, select the 'Use Case' creation tool in the palette and then click on the diagram. The name of the Use Case is editable directly in the editor or in the Properties View.

2.1.4. Association

In the use case diagram, you can create an Association connection between a Use Case and an Actor or between two Use Cases.

The creation of an Association has three steps using the mouse :
  1. Select the 'Association' creation tool in the palette.
  2. Click on a Use Case, this is the first association end of the Association.
  3. Click on another Use Case or an Actor, this is the second association end of the Association.

2.1.5. Generalization

You can create a Generalization (or Inheritance) connection between two Actors or two Use Cases.

The creation of a Generalization has three steps using the mouse :
  1. Select the 'Generalization' creation tool in the palette.
  2. Click on an Actor or a Use Case, this is the source of the inheritance relationship.
  3. Click on an Actor or a Use Case (depending on the type of the source node), this is the target of the inheritance relationship.

2.1.6. Include relationship

You can create an Include connection between two Use Cases.

The creation of an Include relationship has three steps using the mouse :
  1. Select the 'Include' creation tool in the palette.
  2. Click on a Use Case, this is the source of the include relationship.
  3. Click on a Use Case, this is the target of the include relationship.

2.1.7. Extend relationship

You can create an Extend connection between two Use Cases.

The creation of an Extend relationship has four steps using the mouse :
  1. Select the 'Extend' creation tool in the palette.
  2. Click on a Use Case, this is the source of the extend relationship.
  3. Click on a Use Case, this is the target of the extend relationship.
  4. Then a dialog is prompted, you have to choose an existing extensionPoint in the list or create a new one, and specify a condition to match. extendDialog

2.2. Advanced editing

3. Diagram Example

usecaseDiagram

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By Jacques LESCOT, Anyware Technologies

September, 1 2006