UML Distilled: Applying the Standard Object Modelling Language Object Technology Series: Amazon.co.uk: Martin Fowler, Kendall Scott: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

Many working programmers have little time for keeping up with the latest advances from the world of software engineering. UML Distilled: Applying the Standard Object Modeling Language provides a quick, useful take on one of the field's most important recent developments: the emergence of the Unified Modeling Language (UML).

UML Distilled offers a useful perspective on what UML is and what it's good for. The author, an experienced software engineer, gives his own opinions of which diagrams are best to use. He is never doctrinaire and is always willing to put common sense design ahead of rigid adherence to models and documents. He runs through the basic notation used in UML for such design documents as use case, class, sequence, state, activity and deployment diagrams. In addition, he includes concise examples of the details of working with objects, with an excellent step-by-step rendition of many of the details involved in UML. The author even includes some actual C++ code so you can see what all these design documents lead to.

You'll need some idea of what software engineering is in order to benefit from this book. However, if you have the appropriate background, you'll find this book invaluable in understanding this emerging new standard, which has the potential to bring solid software engineering to many developers who have never used disciplined software design techniques before. --Amazon.com

Product Description

Today, a software designer or architect who seeks to represent the design of a software system can choose from a wide variety of notational languages, each aligned with a particular analysis and design methodology. Ironically, this wide variety of choice is one impediment to the significant benefits promised by software reuse. The emergence of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) -- created by the joint efforts of leading object technologists Grady Booch, Ivar Jacobson, and James Rumbaugh with contributions from many others in the object community -- represents one of the most significant developments in object technology. Supported by a broad base of industry-leading companies, the UML merges the best of the notations used by the three most popular analysis and design methodologies, Booch, OOSE (use-cases), and OMT, to produce a single, universal modeling language that can be used with any method.

Written for those already grounded in object-oriented analysis and design, this concise overview introduces you to UML, highlighting the key elements of its notation, semantics, and processes. Included is a brief explanation of UML's history, development, and rationale, as well as discussions on how UML can be integrated into the object-oriented development process. In addition, the book profiles various modeling techniques associated with UML -- use cases, CRC cards, design by contract, dynamic classification, interfaces, and abstract classes -- along with concise descriptions of notation and semantics and numerous insightful tips for effective use based on the authors' experience. In addition, the authors offer the first look at the emerging Objectory Software Development Process derivedfrom the methodologies of Grady Booch, Ivar Jacobson, and James Rumbaugh. To give you a feel for the UML in action, the book includes a Java programming example that outlines the implementation of a UML-based design.

You will come away with an excellent understanding of UML essentials, insight into how UML functions within the software development process, and a firm foundation upon which to expand and build your knowledge of the Unified Modeling Language.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

A Realistic Approach 25 Nov 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

In UML Distilled, Martin Fowler and Kendall Scott manage what many others have failed to do: present a concise, eminently readable summary of the notation of Object Modeling. This is a relatively short and easily digestable tome. In it, Fowler & Scott walk through the basic notation styles of UML, and give you a good sense of when and where they can be usefully applied.

One of the things that I appreciate about this little gem is that is does not pretend to be more than it is. The Principal author speaks from his experience, states his opinions and provides a solid set of references for more in depth reading. He never claims to have all the answers or even that there is one set of right answers. Given the frequently dogmatic tone of modeling discussions, it was a refreshing change.

This is a quick read (only a couple of hours) yet the material is presented in such a way as to allow it to be easily used as a reference. This book is an excellent example of the 80/20 rule: you will learn 80% of what you need to know in about 20% of the time.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

A must have... 8 Aug 1999

This book is essential for I.T. personnel and should be considered mandatory reading for architects, and managers alike...

An excellent overview and map 8 Aug 1999

Funny how many people do not either read or understand the purpose of a book. UML Distilled was just what I was looking for, a short overview of UML for people who understand a bit about OO. It also has suggestions of other books for further study.

very hard book for beginner

The author used the infamous ''me me me me me'' method to write this book. ''I would do this'' or ''I know'' or ''I find''... Very self-center book. Read more

Published on 10 Aug 1999

Useful, but not for everyone

This book is useful for what it really is: an introduction to the graphical language of UML. It does not really teach one much about modelling, or about methodologies for OOAD. Read more

Published on 24 May 1999

A good handbook - but not a "how-to"

I recommend using this book in concert with others. I'm fairly new to UML, and have found that I use this book about 80% of the time, and "The Unified Modeling Language User... Read more

Published on 18 May 1999

Substantive and informative, even if poorly typeset

Fowler (with contributions by Scott) gives quick and concise instructions on using the UML replete with example diagrams and example code. Read more

Published on 5 April 1999

Good UML intro for any professional developer

A must read book for any professional developer already familiar with the object-oriented methodologies and looking for a quick intro to UML. Read more

Published on 29 Mar 1999

I got exactly what I was looking for!

I think it's all according to what you are looking for in a book. I was looking for an easy-to-read book that gave me an overview of the UML notation, relationships with other... Read more

Published on 6 Mar 1999

Best Introduction to UML on the market

Unlike many OO design/methodology books, this volume is an interesting read and covers the most important parts of UML (Unified Modeling Language) instead of every nitpicking... Read more

Published on 21 Feb 1999

UML Distilled: Applying the Standard Object Modelling Language (Object Technology Series) [Paperback]

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