Unified Modelling Language

The Unified Modelling Language (UML®) was developed to enable the modelling of a variety of crucial aspects of systems. The UML enables a system designer to move between models that elucidate a variety of aspects of the system under construction. The models are created either directly in a tool or by reverse engineering of previously written code. In the latter case, the tool creates a model that corresponds with the code: the better quality tools enable not only reverse engineering, but "round trip" development.

We use Rhapsody®, which is developed by IBM Rational/Telelogic as our UML platform. It offers a comprehensive implementation of the UML, which is particularly suited to the development of real time and embedded applications.

Overall, these models form both a basis for experimentation with a system under construction and the means by which the system implementation may be linked with its specification.

Please see our Products pages for further information on how links may be established between Use Cases and UML artefacts.

A Use Case specification is defined by identifying the things with which your system interacts (called "Actors"). Your system performs a number of services on behalf of these Actors, which are its "Use Cases". A single Use Case is the definition of a logical flow of functionality in your system.