Alternative Title

A semiotic analysis of unified modeling language graphical notations

Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

1-2009

Abstract

Unified modeling language (UML) is the standard modeling language for object-oriented system development. Despite its status as a standard, UML has a fuzzy formal specification and a weak theoretical foundation. Semiotics, the study of signs, provides a good theoretical foundation for UML research because graphical notations (or visual signs) of UML are subjected to the principles of signs. In our research, we use semiotics to study the effectiveness of graphical notations in UML. We hypothesized that the use of iconic signs as UML graphical notations leads to representation that is more accurately interpreted and that arouses fewer connotations than the use of symbolic signs. An open-ended survey was used to test these hypotheses. The results support our propositions that iconic UML graphical notations are more accurately interpreted by subjects and that the number of connotations is lower for iconic UML graphical notations than for symbolic UML graphical notations. The results have both theoretical and practical significance. This study illustrates the usefulness of using semiotics as a theoretical underpinning in analyzing, evaluating, and comparing graphical notations for modeling constructs. The results of this research also suggest ways and means of enhancing the graphical notations of UML modeling constructs.

Keywords

Formal specifications, Graphical notations, Modeling constructs, Modeling languages, Modeling methods, Object-oriented systems, Systems analysis and design, Theoretical foundations, UML Modeling

Discipline

Databases and Information Systems | Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces | Programming Languages and Compilers

Publication

Requirements Engineering

Volume

14

Issue

1

First Page

15

Last Page

26

ISSN

0947-3602

Identifier

10.1007/s00766-008-0071-7

Publisher

Springer

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00766-008-0071-7

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