Publication Type

Conference Proceeding Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

6-2004

Abstract

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) was adopted by the Object Management Group as the standard visual modeling language for OO systems development. However, UML has been criticized in the literature for its complexity, inconsistent semantics, and ambiguous constructs. A set of complexity indices for UML in aggregate, and the nine diagramming techniques individually, was compiled recently. Since this set of metrics is based on inclusion of all possible constructs in UML, it thus provides an indication of the theoretical (maximum) complexity of the modeling methods. This paper contends that in practice, developers do not use all of the possible diagrams or diagram constructs all of the time in their systems building efforts. The idea here is that a more practical complexity exists and can be identified as a subset of theoretical (maximum) complexity. This research aims to identify a kernel of UML, based on a Delphi study panel of UML experts, as a precursor to developing an alternate set of use-based complexity metrics. Preliminary results indicate that several diagrams (class, use case, sequence and statechart) rate as relatively more important to developers than the other UML diagrams.

Keywords

Complexity of Unified Modeling Language, Delphi Study, Practical Complexity

Discipline

Databases and Information Systems

Research Areas

Information Systems and Management

Areas of Excellence

Digital transformation

Publication

Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering (CAiSE 04), Riga, Latvia, 2004 June 7-11

First Page

22

Last Page

30

City or Country

Riga, Latvia

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