UML Class Diagram Shapes

Class diagram is used to represent the static view of an application. The class diagrams are widely used in the modelling of object oriented systems because they are the only UML diagrams which can be mapped directly with object oriented languages.
Diagram supports to generate the class diagram shapes from business logic.

The UML class diagram shapes are explained as follows.

Class

A Class describes a set of objects that shares the same specifications of features,constraints and semantics.To define a class object, you need to define the classifier as “class”.
Also, you need to define the name, attributes and methods of the class using the class property of node.

The following code example illustrates how to create a class.

  • HTML
  • <div ng-controller="diagramCtrl">
        <ej-diagram id="diagram"
                    e-height="500px"
                    e-width="700px"
                    e-nodes="nodes">
        </ej-diagram>
    </div>
  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var nodes = [{
        name: "Patient",
        offsetX: 100,
        offsetY: 100,
        borderWidth: 2,
        borderColor: "black",
        //Sets type of shape
        type: "umlclassifier",
        //Sets the type of classifier
        classifier: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Class,
        //Sets the class object
        "class": {
            //Name of a class header
            name: "Patient",
            //Sets the collection of attributes
            attributes: [{
                    name: "accepted",
                    type: "Date",
                    //sets the scope value for class member
                    scope: "protected"
                },
                {
                    name: "prescription",
                    type: "String[*]"
                }
            ],
            //Sets the collection of methods
            methods: [{
                name: "getHistory",
                //sets the arguments for methods
                arguments: [{
                    name: "Date"
                }],
                type: "History"
            }]
        },
    }];
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets nodes collection to Diagram model.
        $scope.nodes = nodes;
    });

    NOTE

    The default value for the property classifier is “class”.

    Interface

    An Interface is a kind of classifier that represents a declaration of a set of coherent public features and obligations. To create an interface, you need to define the classifier property as “interface”.
    Also, you need to define the methods and members of the interface using the interface property of the node.

    The following code example illustrates how to create an interface.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var nodes = [{
        name: "Bank",
        offsetX: 100,
        offsetY: 100,
        borderWidth: 2,
        borderColor: "black",
        //Sets type of shape
        type: "umlclassifier",
        //Sets the type of classifier
        classifier: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Interface,
        //Sets the interface object
        interface: {
            name: "Bank Account",
                attributes: [{
                        name: "ownar",
                        type: "String[*]"
                    },
                    {
                        name: "balance",
                        type: "Dollars"
                    }
                ],
                methods: [{
                    name: "deposit",
                    arguments: [{
                        name: "amount",
                        type: "Dollars"
                    }],
                }]
        },
    }];
    
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets nodes collection to Diagram model.
        $scope.nodes = nodes;
    });

    Enumeration

    To define an enumeration, you need to define the classifier property of node as “enumeration”. Also you need to define the name and members of the enumeration using the enumeration property of node.

    The following code example illustrates how to create an enumeration.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var nodes = [{
         name: "Enums",
         offsetX: 100,
         offsetY: 100,
         borderWidth: 2,
         borderColor: "black",
         //Sets type of shape
         type: "umlclassifier",
         //Sets the type of classifier
         classifier: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Enumeration,
         //Sets the enumeration object
         enumeration: {
             name: "AccountType",
             //sets the members of enumeration
             members: [{
                     name: "Checking Account"
                 },
                 {
                     name: "Savings Account"
                 },
                 {
                     name: "Credit Account"
                 }
             ]
         }
     }]
    
     syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
         //Sets nodes collection to Diagram model.
         $scope.nodes = nodes;
     });

    Relationships

    A relationship is a general term covering the specific types of logical connections found on class diagrams.

    The list of relationships are demonstrated as follows.

    shape Image
    Association
    Aggregation
    Composition
    Inheritance
    Dependency

    Association

    Association is basically a set of links that connects elements of an UML model. The type of association are as follows.

    • Directional
    • BiDirectional

    The association property allows you to define the type of association. The default value of association is “Directional”. The following code example illustrates how to create an association.

  • HTML
  • <div ng-controller="diagramCtrl">
        <ej-diagram id="diagram" e-height="500px" e-width="700px" e-connectors="connectors">
        </ej-diagram>
    </div>
  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [{
        name: "connect1",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 300,
            y: 200
        },
        segments: [{
            type: "straight"
        }],
        shape: {
            type: "umlclassifier",
            //Sets the type of the relationships as association
            relationship: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Association,
            //Sets the type of association
            association: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.AssociationFlows.Directional,
        }
    }];
    
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets connectors collection to Diagram model.
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
    });

    NOTE

    The default value for the property association is “directional”.

    Aggregation

    Aggregation is a binary association between a property and one or more composite objects which group together a set of instances.
    Aggregation is decorated with a hollow diamond. To create an aggregation shape, you need to define the relationship as “aggregation”.

    The following code example illustrates how to create an aggregation.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [{
        name: "connect1",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 300,
            y: 200
        },
        segments: [{
            type: "straight"
        }],
        shape: {
            type: "umlclassifier",
            //Sets the type of the relationships as aggregation
            relationship: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Aggregation,
        }
    }];
    
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets connectors collection to Diagram model.
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
    });

    Composition

    Composition is a “strong” form of “aggregation”. Composition is decorated with a black diamond.
    To create a composition shape, define the relationship property of connector as “composition”.

    The following code example illustrates how to create a composition.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [{
        name: "connect1",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 300,
            y: 200
        },
        segments: [{
            type: "straight"
        }],
        shape: {
            type: "umlclassifier",
            //Sets the type of the relationships as composition
            relationship: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Composition,
        }
    }];
    
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets connectors collection to Diagram model.
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
    });

    Dependency

    Dependency is a directed relationship which is used to show that some UML elements needs or depends on other model elements for specifications. Dependency is shown as dashed line with opened arrow.
    To create a dependency, you need to define the relationship property of connector as “dependency”.

    The following code example illustrates how to create an dependency.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [{
        name: "connect1",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 300,
            y: 200
        },
        segments: [{
            type: "straight"
        }],
        shape: {
            type: "umlclassifier",
            //Sets the type of the relationships as dependency
            relationship: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Dependency,
        }
    }]
    
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets connectors collection to Diagram model.
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
    });

    Inheritance

    Inheritance is also called as “generalization”. Inheritance is a binary taxonomic directed relationship between a more general classifier(super class) and a more specific classifier(subclass).
    Inheritance is shown as a line with hollow triangle.

    To create a inheritance, you need to define the relationship as “inheritance”.

    The following code example illustrates how to create an inheritance.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [{
        name: "connect1",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 300,
            y: 200
        },
        segments: [{
            type: "straight"
        }],
        shape: {
            type: "umlclassifier",
            //Sets the type of the relationships as inheritance
            relationship: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Inheritance,
        }
    }];
    
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets connectors collection to Diagram model.
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
    });

    Multiplicity

    Multiplicity is a definition of an inclusive interval of non-negative integers to specify the allowable number of instances of described element. The type of multiplicity are as follows.

    • OneToOne
    • ManyToOne
    • OneToMany
    • ManyToMany

    By default the multiplicity will be considered as “OneToOne”. You can customize it using the multiplicity property of connector.

    The following code example illustrates how to customize the multiplicity.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [{
        name: "connect1",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 300,
            y: 200
        },
        labels: [{
            margin: {
                top: 10,
                left: 10,
                right: 10,
                bottom: 20
            }
        }],
        segments: [{
            type: "straight"
        }],
        shape: {
            type: "umlclassifier",
            relationship: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ClassifierShapes.Dependency,
            //Sets the type of multiplicity
            multiplicity: {
                //Sets the type of multiplicity
                type: "onetomany",
                //Sets the source label
                source: {
                    //Sets the optionality/cardinality for the connector
                    optional: true,
                    //Specifies interval for number of instances of described element
                    lowerBounds: 89,
                    upperBounds: 67
                },
                //Sets the target label
                target: {
                    optional: true,
                    lowerBounds: 78,
                    upperBounds: 90
                }
            }
        }
    }]
    
    
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets connectors collection to Diagram model.
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
    });

    Editing

    You can edit the name, attributes and methods of the class diagram shapes just with a double click. When you double click a class diagram shape, a text editor with three different sections(name, members, methods) will be generated.
    The string “—” acts as a splitter between the three sections.

    The following image illustrates how the text editor will be.