UML user guide, chapter 2, UML introduction

An Overview of the UML

1.The UML Is a Language
A modeling language is a language whose vocabulary and rules focus on the conceptual and physical representation of a system. 建模语言专注于系统的概念和物理的呈现.

2.The UML Is a Language for Visualizing

The UML Is a Language for Specifying
The UML is more than just a bunch of graphical symbols. Rather, behind each symbol in the

UML notation is a well-defined semantics. 可视化建模, 不单单是一系列的图形符号, 更重要是每个符号都有特定的语法和规则.

3.The UML Is a Language for Specifying
specifying means building models that are precise, unambiguous, and complete. In particular,

the UML addresses the specification of all the important analysis, design, and

implementation decisions that must be made in developing and deploying a software-intensive system.

4.The UML Is a Language for Constructing
This mapping permits forward engineeringthe generation of code from a UML model into a

programming language. The reverse is also possible.
Modeling the behavior of a system.

5.The UML Is a Language for Documenting
The UML addresses the documentation of a system's architecture and all of its details. The

UML also provides a language for expressing requirements and for tests. Finally, the UML

provides a language for modeling the activities of project planning and release management