UML Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Standard Object Modeling Language (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The second edition of Martin Fowler's bestselling UML Distilled provides updates to the Unified Modeling Language (UML) without changing its basic formula for success. It is still arguably the best resource for quick, no-nonsense explanations of using UML.

The major strength of UML Distilled is its short, concise presentation of the essentials of UML and where it fits within today's software development process. The book describes all the major UML diagram types, what they're for, and the basic notation involved in creating and deciphering them. These diagrams include use cases; class and interaction diagrams; collaborations; and state, activity, and physical diagrams. The examples are always clear, and the explanations cut to the fundamental design logic.

For the second edition, the material has been reworked for use cases and activity diagrams, plus there are numerous small tweaks throughout, including the latest UML v. 1.3 standard. An appendix even traces the evolution of UML versions.

Working developers often don't have time to keep up with new innovations in software engineering. This new edition lets you get acquainted with some of the best thinking about efficient object-oriented software design using UML in a convenient format that will be essential to anyone who designs software professionally. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: UML basics, analysis and design, outline development (software development process), inception, elaboration, managing risks, construction, transition, use case diagrams, class diagrams, interaction diagrams, collaborations, state diagrams, activity diagrams, physical diagrams, patterns, and refactoring basics.

Product Description

Provides a guide designed for the professional programmer interested in improving the internal design of existing code. Softcover. DLC: Object-oriented methods (Computer science).

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Product Details

• Paperback: 185 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 2nd edition (August 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020165783X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201657838
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #498,066 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excelent book, but not for OO beginners, February 23, 2000

By A Customer

This book is probably best served as a quick tour or "best of" UML for someone already versed in OOAD concepts. It introduces each major topic, establishes clear definitions and examples, and incorporates the author's personal experiences. To this end, it is concise and effective.

However, it is not well suited for people trying to get up to speed with both OO and UML concepts, (which is my situation). I found "Fundamentals of Object-Oriented Design in UML" (Page-Jones) as a much more effective introduction OO and UML.

As I become more educated on the topic, I find myself reaching for Distilled more and more. It's great as a quick reference to clear up concepts.

I think this book is a must-have for any UML user, but should not be your first experience with OOAD.

172 of 179 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb job of distillation, January 18, 2000

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

If you start your study of the Unified Modeling Language(UML) by going to the definitive references by the three creators, it is quite likely that you will be intimidated. The three books, _The Unified Modeling Language User Guide_, _The Unified Modeling Language Reference Manual_ and _The Unified Software Development Process_, all written by the designers and published by Addison-Wesley, are nearly 1500 pages of rather intense material. Like a veteran horseman, Martin Fowler charges to the rescue.
In a "mere" 174 pages, he takes each of the essential main areas of the UML and presents a brief, yet surprisingly thorough description of what it is and how it is used. While targeted at the UML novice, it is necessary to have a fairly solid background in object-oriented programming in order to understand it. Since the UML is a modeling language based heavily on diagrams, they are used throughout the book and are very effective.
This book will not teach you the UML, that task is left to weightier works. However, it will provide the proper foundation so that you can learn it, a task that is just as important. I listed the first edition as one of the best books of the year in my "On Books" column that appeared in the September, 1998 issue of _Journal of Object-Oriented Programming_ . There is nothing in the second edition that will change that opinion.

137 of 142 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to get your feet wet!, August 8, 2000

By	Ardis Gabrielle Maison (Everett WA) - See all my reviews

I was assigned a problem recently in a C++ Advanced course that required me to quickly obtain exposure to the UML. I used Amazon to find this book. On month later I have read four books on the UML and have two more books waiting on my office shelf! I am extremely fascinated by the UML and recommend all software engineers look into its use. I highly recommend Martin Fowler's UML Distilled for engineers who have no previous modeling exposure. It is a fast way to get your feet wet and obtain a high-level overview. After reading this book you might consider the path I forged for myself:

1) UML Distilled by Martin Fowler 2) UML Toolkit by Hans-Erik Eriksson & Magnus Penker (* includes a CD-Rom with Rational Rose 4.0 demo). A great second book! You can also obtain a free UML Modeling tool by TogetherSoft.

3) The Unified Modeling Language User Guide by Booch, RumBaugh and Jacobson. A GREAT book and definite read, however I would not recommend it as your first if you are new to modeling (as I am). I was extremely impressed by Grady Booch's writing skill. He infused me with a love for modeling. (I also intend to read his other books.) As a parent I enjoyed his comments regarding teen age daughters in addition to the fine art of dog house construction.

4) Real-Time UML: Developing Efficient Objects for Embedded Systems by Bruce Powel Douglass. A SUPERB book! I am just finishing it. I was impressed with the author's extensive real-time knowledge and appreciative of his ability to communicate it so clearly to interested readers. I found his dry sense of humor entertaining and intend to look into the Dave Barry reference. I only wish I had time to immediately sit down and read his second real-time book "Doing Hard Time". It is however waiting on my office shelf.

Thanks to all the authors sited. Good luck to you on your discovery of the UML.