[ubl-lcsc] Auto-Generated UML Model

Dave Carlson applied 
his hyperModel application to the 0.65 UBL Schema and produced a corresponding 
UML static structure diagram.  Actually, he produced 9 related UML 
diagrams.  Breaking the big picture into smaller ones yielded some pretty 
readable results.  For instance the diagram OrderHeader.svg shows the 
relationships between Order and its associates, one or two levels removed.  
The diagram Delivery.svg goes a little deeper, but since Delivery is not as 
"flat" as OrderHeader it fits very nicely on a page.

 

The hyperModel tool 
is fully automated.  Not only does it generate the diagram elements -- it 
lays them out, i.e. it places all the little boxes and routes the lines.  
Judge for yourself whether it's readable or not.  I find it very 
readable.  And given the fact that you never have to "intervene" in the 
diagramming, the likelihood that you'll keep the UML diagram up-to-date is 
greatly increased.  There are a few heuristics in the tool.  For 
instance, you'll notice that core component types become class attributes -- 
which is exactly what you'd expect.  e.g. MinimumQuantity is modeled as an 
attribute of type Quantity -- versus an association to class 
Quantity.

 

I'd like to point 
out a particular translation choice (XSD to UML) that differs between hyperModel 
and the Rose model Mike A. so dilligently produced and 
graciously provided.  The Rose model has a bunch of classes 
inheritting from Party -- one for each XML element of type Party.  A 
similar approach is used for elements of type Location, ExchangeRate, 
Measurement.  This approach leads to a proliferation of classes, all of 
which are used exactly once.

 

The attached 
diagrams, on the other hand model (local) XSD elements as UML 
associations.  This mapping is not only natural, but results in maybe 30% 
fewer classes than the corresponding Rose model.  If you have a look at 
OrderHeader.svg versus the Rose model, you'll see what I mean.  Have a look 
at the way the two models relate OrderHeader to Party.

 

If you don't already have the Adobe SVG viewer, you can 
download it for free here.  It 
integrates with your browser.  Use alt-drag to move around in a 
diagram.  Context-click (usually right mouse button) to bring up a zoom 
menu, or control-click to zoom in on a point, or control-drag to zoom in on a 
box.

 

  
  

    
      
 

    
      
Bill 
      Burcham
Sr. Software 
      Architect, Standards and Applied 
      Technology
Sterling 
      Commerce, Inc.
469.524.2164


 

Attachment:
Order_0p65-UML.zip

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