UML

1. UML as a system for programming
2. UML as a Virtual Machine for Linux.

System

See also: Model | Software | Object-oriented

Acronym for: Unified Modelling Language

A system developed to plan, co-ordinate, and evaluate object-oriented software projects, particularly when large and complex. UML utilises the Iterative-Incremental life-cycle instead of the more traditional waterfall approach.

UML software tools are used to model the software system, including functionality, classes, and relationships between classes. The tools can be used to generate the bare bones of the required code.

Many UML tools are available. These are known collectively as CASE tools. They include:

• SELECT Enterprise or SELECT Component Architect
• Rational Rose – part of the Rational Unified Process (RUP)
• Visual Paradigm for UML – UML modeling tool
• Poseidon for UML by Gentleware – yet another UML modeling tool

Whereas the full process of UML – especially the generation of code from model data by CASE tools – is not in ubiquitous use among software developers, the graphic notation of UML diagrams has reached wide acceptance over some older, partially competing, notations.

Specialized UML diagramming tools are available. They include:

• Cadifra UML Editor

Further Reading:

• The Rational Edge – online magazine relationg to the RUP
• UML tutorial

Virtual Machine

Also see: Virtual Machine | Linux | Security

Acronym: User-Mode Linux

From homepage: “User-Mode Linux is a safe, secure way of running Linux versions and Linux processes. Run buggy software, experiment with new Linux kernels or distributions, and poke around in the internals of Linux, all without risking your main Linux setup.

User-Mode Linux gives you a virtual machine that may have more hardware and software virtual resources than your actual, physical computer. Disk storage for the virtual machine is entirely contained inside a single file on your physical machine. You can assign your virtual machine only the hardware access you want it to have. With properly limited access, nothing you do on the virtual machine can change or damage your real computer, or its software.”

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