Interaction overview diagram

The interaction overview diagram ( engl. interaction overview diagram ) is one of the 14 chart types in the Unified Modeling Language ( UML), a modeling language for software and other systems.

Description

The interaction overview diagram is a behavior chart in more detail one of the four interaction diagrams. It shows a particular view of the dynamic aspects of the modeled system. Although an interaction overview diagram is a graphical representation of an interaction, it differs greatly from the sequence diagram and communication diagram from the two different chart types for modeling interactions. In fact, some graphical elements of an interaction overview diagram from the activity diagram are borrowed, another behavior diagram for modeling activities.

Interaction models can be very large for complex systems. Exceeds the number of lifelines involved and the number of messages exchanged a certain level, it suggests itself to modularize the interaction and divide according to generally accepted principles of system design into smaller, more manageable pieces that can be visualized with the aid of a classical sequence diagram. The overview of the whole interaction, so the big picture or overall image can then be displayed using the appropriate interaction overview diagram.

Example

The figure shows an example of an interaction overview diagram with a header and a content area. The keyword in the header is interaction with an interaction overview diagram sd or.

In this example, the interaction overview diagram combines a sequence diagram, which is defined on the spot (English inline), (release revolving door for a passage ) with an interaction that is elsewhere modeled and only referenced here, recognizable ref at the keyword.

The control flow between these two interactions is modeled with elements of the activity diagrams. The process begins at a start node and ending at a terminal node for activities. A branch node between the embedded interactions to model the decision whether access is enabled or is to remain locked.

Differences to the UML 1.4

The interaction overview diagram was introduced in version 2.0 of the UML.