The Unified Modeling Language User Guide, 2nd Edition

Chapter 28. Collaborations

In this chapter

• Collaborations, realizations, and interactions

• Modeling the realization of a use case

• Modeling the realization of an operation

• Modeling a mechanism

• Reifying interactions

In the context of a systems architecture, a collaboration allows you to name a conceptual chunk that encompasses both static and dynamic aspects. A collaboration names a society of classes, interfaces, and other elements that work together to provide some cooperative behavior that's bigger than the sum of all its parts.

You use collaborations to specify the realization of use cases and operations, and to model the architecturally significant mechanisms of your system.

Getting Started

Think about the most beautiful building you've even seen—perhaps ...