CS302: Software Engineering

During creation of a collaboration diagram, we record the methods corresponding to the responsibilities assigned to a class in the third section of the class box. These classes with methods are software classes representing the conceptual classes in the conceptual models. Then based on these identified software classes, the collaboration diagrams and the original conceptual model, we can create a design class diagram which illustrate the following information: 

• Classes, associations and attributes 
• Methods 
• Attribute type information 
• Navigability 
• Dependencies 

Steps in Making a Design Class Diagram 

Use the following strategy to create a design class diagram: 

1. Identify all the classes participating in object interaction by analyzing the collaborations 

2. Present them in a class diagram 

3. Copy attributes from the associated concepts in the conceptual model 

4. Add methods names by analyzing the interaction diagrams 

5. Add type information to the attributes and methods 

6. Add the association necessary to support the required attribute visibility 

7. Add navigability arrow necessary to the associations to indicate the direction of the attribute visibility 

8. Add dependency relationship lines to indicate non-attribute visibility 

9. More:

• Enhance attributes by adding datatypes 
• Determine visibility e.g. public (+), Private (–) – concept for encapsulation

Add Associations and Navigability 

Each end of an association is called a role. In a design class diagram, the role may be decorated with a navigability arrow. Navigability is a property of the role which indicates that it is possible to navigate uni-directionally across the association from objects of the source to the target class as shown in Figure 4.23.

Figure 4.23: Part of Design Class Diagram Showing Navigability

Navigability is usually interpreted as attribute visibility from the source class to the target class. During the implementation in a OOP language it is usually translated as the source class having an attribute that refers to an instance of the target class. For example, the POST classes will define an attribute that reference a Sale instance.

DCD with Association and Navigability 

Correcting all the activities done in previous units and activities, finally the design class Diagram will be as shown in Figure 4.24.

Figure 4.24: Design diagram with association and navigability

Conclusion 

DCD is the final structure of the software design process. To make concepts coordinate, associations have to be considered and their multiplicity. Navigation into DCD is important to be shown as well.

Source: Adapted from Ellen Ambakisye Kalinga
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