| Representation Options |
UML Representation: Use Case (first-class UML element)
A use case consists primarily of a textual specification (called a Use-Case Specification) that
contains a description of the flow of events describing the interaction between actors and the system. The
specification also typically contains other information such as preconditions, postconditions, special requirements and
key scenarios. The use case may also be represented visually in UML in order to show relationships with other use cases
and actors.
A Use Case Specification may have the following properties:
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Name: The name of the use case.
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Brief Description: A brief description of the role and purpose of the use case.
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Flow of Events: A textual description of what the system does in regard to the use case (not
how specific problems are solved by the system). The description is understandable by the customer.
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Special Requirements: A textual description that collects all requirements, such as
non-functional requirements, on the use case, that are not considered in the use-case model, but that need to be
taken care of during design or implementation.
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preconditions: A textual description that defines a constraint on the system when the use
case may start.
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postconditions: A textual description that defines a constraint on the system when the use
cases have terminated.
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Extension points: A list of locations within the flow of events of the use case at which
additional behavior can be inserted using the extend-relationship.
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Relationships: The relationships, such as communicates-associations, include-, generalization-,
and extend-relationships, in which the use case participates.
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Activity Diagrams: These diagrams illustrate the structure of the flow of
events.
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Use-Case Diagrams: These diagrams show the relationships involving the use
case.
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Other Diagrams: Other graphical illustrations of the use case.
It is important to decide the extent to which Use Cases will be elaborated:
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describe only major flows?
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describe only the most important use cases?
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fully describe preconditions and postconditions?
Some projects apply use cases informally to discover requirements, but document and maintain these requirements in
another form. How you tailor Use Cases may depend on project size, experience, your tool set, customer relationship,
and so forth. See Guideline: Use Case for guidance related to Use Case tailoring.
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