Visual Modeling with Rational Rose and UML (Object Technology Series) (Paperback)

The idea of one 'simple' example (case study) as a theme throughout the book is a very good idea, but unfortunately poorly executed with imprecise and incomplete explanations as to "why" things are analysed and done a certain way in the UML and/or Rational Rose. Sections of the book leave you asking "but why and what if" questions, for which the book's content provides no answers. The author is a trainer, and it seems this book is a supplement to her training courses. Unfortunately there is no trainer to answer questions, leaving the book to seem little more than beefed-up "course notes", paying no regards to careful and complete explanations of either the UML, Rose nor expounding the case study to its true full potential. As such this book is NOT for the "teach-yourself" would-be 'UML'ers, and falls short of satisfying the requirements of practicing Systems and Business Analysts/Designers.

The back cover claims of "comprehensive introduction and tutorial providing guidance . . ." are not met.

- 'Comprehensive': It is not. Perhaps if you triple the size and content of the book it might then be considered 'comprehensive'. The price, by contrast, is definitely comprehensive.
- 'Introduction': From an academic viewpoint only. For example, only one wordy page is give to introducing Rose, with no information on installing, starting, exiting, saving or opening models etc in Rose; not even a paragraph on describing Rose's initial screen, let alone a screen shot. Basically, the book assumes you have Rose installed and you know your way around it already - clearly not an introduction then.
- 'Tutorial': The example's too incompletely covered to make this claim; for instance, only some of the Use Cases are given descriptions, the others (I guess) you make up yourself - clearly lacking in the tutorial department then.
- 'Providing guidance': More like the author's 'rule of thumb' than precise and applicable analysis & design 'doctrine' of the Unified Modelling Process. When words such as "The following questions may be used to help identify the use cases of a system.", 'may be used to help'? Come on, that is not guidance. Guidance in this case would be an accepted 'rule' to apply to identifying use cases, otherwise you have different versions of the 'truth' from different people and confusion follows - something the UML and Visual Modelling is supposed to avoid.

In summary: A very poor book to learn from, please try again.

So what is the book about? As the title briefly outlines, this book provides an introduction to Rational Rose 2000 (a tool) and a language known as UML (Unified Modeling Language), with which a user can visualise and construct a software system. The book also contains an excellent tutorial that runs alongside each section, providing step-by-step instructions on how to carry out everything. This book has been very well written - it starts from the very basics and each chapter progresses logically into the next. How many of you have read computing books that cannot be read from beginning to end in a logical manner? I know I certainly have - usually being referenced to another part of the book constantly. Well with this book this is kept to the very minimum, allowing a very easy read.

Starting at the beginning of this text, the first chapter introduces you to Visual Modeling and the history of UML - an excellent start for any beginner! The book progresses with a chapter on how to begin your project and then goes on to explain Use Cases, Classes, Object Interaction, Relationships, Inheritance, Object Behaviour amongst others.

Along with the excellent tutorials a case study runs throughout the book illustrating the development process and UML in practice.

This book is perfect if you require a book on using Rational Rose, even though the full retail price I feel is a bit high.