Composite Structure diagrams

Structural Modeling Diagrams

Composite Structure diagrams

A Unified Modeling Language (UML) composite structure diagram shows the internal structure of a class and the collaborations that this structure makes possible. This can include internal parts, ports through which the parts interact with each other or through which instances of the class interact with the parts and with the outside world, and connectors between parts or ports. A composite structure is a set of interconnected elements that collaborate at runtime to achieve some purpose. Each element has some defined role in the collaboration. Part A part is an element that represents a set of one or more instances which are owned by a containing classifier instance. So for example, if a diagram instance owned a set of graphical elements, then the graphical elements could be represented as parts; if it were useful to do so, to model some kind of relationship between them. Note that a part can be removed from its parent before the parent is deleted, so that the part isn't deleted at the same time.

Port

A port is a typed element that represents an externally visible part of a containing classifier instance. Ports define the interaction between a classifier and its environment. A port can appear on the boundary of a contained part, a class or a composite structure. A port may specify the services a classifier provides as well as the services that it requires of its environment.

Interfaces

An interface is similar to a class but with a number of restrictions. All interface operations are public and abstract, and do not provide any default implementation. All interface attributes must be constants. However, while a class may only inherit from a single super-class, it may implement multiple interfaces.

Delegate

A delegate connector is used for defining the internal workings of a component's external ports and interfaces. A delegate connector is shown as an arrow with a «delegate» keyword. It connects an external contract of a component as shown by its ports to the internal realization of the behavior of the component's part.

Collaboration

A collaboration defines a set of co-operating roles used collectively to illustrate a specific functionality. A collaboration should only show the roles and attributes required to accomplish its defined task or function. Isolating the primary roles is an exercise in simplifying the structure and clarifying the behavior, and also provides for re-use. A collaboration often implements a pattern.

A collaboration element is shown as an ellipse.