Learning UML

Stereotypes

A stereotype defines a new type of modeling element in the UML. Use stereotypes to define a new type of modeling element and then apply the definition. For example, you might define the concept of a project and the relationship between the project and the things that make up that project.

Defining Stereotypes

In the UML, you create a stereotype definition by showing a class representing the stereotype with a dependency on another class representing the type of modeling element the stereotype represents. The class representing the new type of modeling element and the dependency are marked with the stereotype keyword, and the class representing the type of modeling element to which the stereotype applies is marked with the metaclass keyword. Each class is shown as a solid-outline rectangle marked with the keyword enclosed in guillemets («») or double-angle brackets, before or above its name. The dependency is shown as a dashed arrow from the class representing the stereotype to the other class representing the type of modeling element to which the stereotype applies.

As I discussed in the beginning of this chapter, rather than have many different efforts relating to a project management system define the concept of a project, I can extend the UML to incorporate a definition of what a project is, which may be reused by all these other efforts. Rather than have many different efforts relating to a project management system define the relationship between a project and the things ...