System Analysis & Design - CPIT250 LAB
Worksheet 1
Prepared by: Mr. Ahmad Alzou'bi *** Resource: starUML ® Documentation
1
Model, View and Diagram
StarUML™ makes a clear conceptual distinction between models, views and diagrams.
A Model is an element that contains information for a software model.
A View is a visual expression of the information contained in a model.
A Diagram is a collection of view elements that represent the user’s specific design thoughts.
Project and Unit
Project
A project is the basic management unit in StarUML™. A project can manage one or more software models. It is the top-level package that always exists in any software model. In general, one project is saved in one file.
Project Structure
A project contains and manages the following sub-elements:
Project Sub-Element Description
Model Element that manages one software model.
Subsystem Element that manages models that express one subsystem.
Package The most general element for managing elements.
Project File
Project files are saved in the XML format with the extension name “.UML”. All models, views and
diagrams created in StarUML™ are saved in one project file. A project may also be divided up and saved in multiple units. A project file contains the following information.
UML profiles used in the project
Unit files referenced by the project
Information for all models contained in the project
Information for all diagrams and views contained in the project
System Analysis & Design - CPIT250 LAB
Worksheet 1
Prepared by: Mr. Ahmad Alzou'bi *** Resource: starUML ® Documentation
2
Units
While a project is generally saved in one file, there are cases where one project needs to be saved in many smaller files so that a number of developers can work on the project together. In this case, the project can be managed as multiple units. A unit can have a hierarchical structure; it may contain many sub-units under it. Units are saved as .UML files and are referenced by project files (.UML) or other unit files (.UNT).
Unit Composition
Only package, subsystem and model elements can constitute one unit. All elements under these package type elements are saved in the respective unit file (.UNT).
Unit Hierarchical Structure
Just as a project can manage many units under it, a unit also can manage many sub-units. Since a parent unit has reference to its child units, all units have a hierarchical structure.
Model Fragments
A model fragment is a part of a project saved as a separate file. Only model, subsystem or package items can constitute model fragments. Model fragment files are saved with the extension name “.MFG”. Model fragment files can be easily included in any project at any time. Model fragments are essentially different from units in that once included in a project, they merge completely with the rest of the project.
Managing a Project
Create new project
In order to work on a new software development, a new project must be created. You may start with a completely empty project or with a new project that has been initialized according to a specific approach.
Procedure for Creating New Project #1 – New Project:
1.Select the [File] -> [New Project] menu.
2.A new project is created with the default approach selected by the user. Depending on the approach, profiles and/or frameworks may be included/loaded
Procedure for Creating New Project #2 – Select New Project Dialog Box:
1.Select the [File] -> [Select New Project…] menu.
2.A list of the available approaches will be displayed in the Select New Project dialog box. Select one from the list and click the [OK] button.
System Analysis & Design - CPIT250 LAB
Worksheet 1
Prepared by: Mr. Ahmad Alzou'bi *** Resource: starUML ® Documentation
3
3.A new project is created and initialized according to the selected approach. Depending on the approach, profiles and/or frameworks may be included/loaded.
Saving Project
In order to preserve any changes made to a project, the project file must be saved properly. Your work can be saved over the existing project file or saved as a new project file. When a project file is saved, information on the related units is saved together with it.
Procedure for Saving Project:
1.Select the [File] -> [Save] menu.
2.If the project file name has not been specified, the Save Project dialog box appears. Enter the file name and click the [Save] button.
3.The project file is saved.
Procedure for Saving Project as Another File:
1.Select the [File] -> [Save As…] menu.
2.At the Save As dialog box, enter the new file name and click the [Save] button.
3.The project is saved as another file.
