[56K WARN] UML Sequence diagram help

XML, Perl, Python, and other languages can be discussed here, even if it isn't PHP (We might forgive you).

Moderator: General Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

[56K WARN] UML Sequence diagram help

Post by Chris Corbyn »

Here's the non-programmer in me putting myself to shame. I don't know how to write UML sequence diagrams :(

I'm trying to write my first one to describe the flow of logic in a Java web application framework. In words it goes like this:

Request hits front controller
Front controller uses an ActionDispatcher (helper) to forward the request to an ActionController
ActionController may (optionally) ask the ActionDispatcher to foward the request elsewhere (repeat any number of times).
FrontController forwards to a JSP file to compose the view.

The bit I'm getting mixed up on is how to draw step 3 where the ActionController may effectivey jump backwards a step over and over.

Here's what I have so far (no giggling please :P):

Image

I know some of my boxes should have underlines in them... I just have't figured out how to do that in the software I used yet :P
User avatar
Oren
DevNet Resident
Posts: 1640
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:13 am
Location: Israel

Post by Oren »

Man... I've never seen such a confusing flow chart :P
Just google "flow chart" I guess to learn the basics. I guess I'm not helping much here, but that's the best I can do.
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Chris Corbyn »

Oren wrote:Man... I've never seen such a confusing flow chart :P
Just google "flow chart" I guess to learn the basics. I guess I'm not helping much here, but that's the best I can do.
UML sequence diagrams aren't just basic flow charts though :(
User avatar
Oren
DevNet Resident
Posts: 1640
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:13 am
Location: Israel

Post by Oren »

Hmm... I don't know. Can you clarify the question a little bit?
timvw
DevNet Master
Posts: 4897
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:11 pm
Location: Leuven, Belgium

Post by timvw »

Perhaps http://www-inf.int-evry.fr/COURS/UML/no ... l#figure36 can inspire you...

Edit: http://resource.visual-paradigm.com/uml ... ation.html seems more understandable... (something like the loop combined fragment)
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Chris Corbyn »

timvw wrote:Edit: http://resource.visual-paradigm.com/uml ... ation.html seems more understandable... (something like the loop combined fragment)
Perfect, thank you :) I was sorta leaning towards something like this actually because you see it in here.

I'm also getting the impression that there are no strict rules for representing some things... just make sure it's chronological and that it's sensible and simple :) In my case, I've taken out the mention of ControllerFactory since it wasn't really important.

Image
Post Reply