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| This work product specifies a set of behaviors (a set of operations) offered by a classifier model element (specifically, a class, subsystem or component). |
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Purpose
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An interface declares a set of operations, including their signatures and parameters, that are use to specify the
services offered by a classifier model element (e.g. a class, component or subsystem).
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Relationships
| Input To | Mandatory:
| Optional:
| External:
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Main Description
| An Interface is model element which defines a set of behaviors (a set of operations) offered by a classifier model
element (specifically, a class, subsystem or component). A classifier may realize one or more interfaces. An interface may
be realized by one or more classifiers. Any classifiers which realize the same interfaces may be substituted for one
another in the system. Each interface should provide an unique and well-defined set of operations. |
Properties
| Optional |  |
| Planned |  |
Tailoring
| Representation Options | UML Representation: Interface
Interfaces are typically used in conjunction with Artifact: Design Subsystem; it is usually not necessary or desirable
to use interfaces in conjunction with Work
Product: Design Classes, where using public operations is usually sufficient. Interfaces are typically used in
cases where there is a need to define the behavior (in the form of operation signatures) independently from the
elements that realize those operations. This implies the existence of larger-grained abstractions of behavior or
replaceability, modeled as design subsystems. For projects that do not have these attributes, interfaces can be
omitted.
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More Information
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