Classifier (UML)

A classifier (or classifier ) (English classifier ) is a metaclass in the Unified Modeling Language ( UML), a language for the modeling of the structures and behavior of software and other systems.

A classifier within UML is an abstract theoretical construct, never insert the modeler directly into one of the diagrams of the UML. As so-called abstract metaclass is the Classifier especially useful for the authors of the UML specification and less for users of UML.

However, within the UML specification of the classifier plays a central role, because it represents the common properties of model elements of the UML, the use and users of the UML often. Thus, for example, the model elements class, interface, component, behavior, activity, interaction or state machine specializations of the classifier - a classifier is thus a generalization of these model elements.