UML Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Standard Object Modeling Language (3rd Edition) (Addison-Wesley Object Technology Series)

The major strength of UML Distilled is its short, concise presentation of the essentials of UML and where it fits within today's software development process. The book describes all the major UML diagram types, what they're for, and the basic notation involved in creating and deciphering them. These diagrams include use cases; class and interaction diagrams; collaborations; and state, activity, and physical diagrams. The examples are always clear, and the explanations cut to the fundamental design logic.

For the second edition, the material has been reworked for use cases and activity diagrams, plus there are numerous small tweaks throughout, including the latest UML v. 1.3 standard. An appendix even traces the evolution of UML versions.

Working developers often don't have time to keep up with new innovations in software engineering. This new edition lets you get acquainted with some of the best thinking about efficient object-oriented software design using UML in a convenient format that will be essential to anyone who designs software professionally. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: UML basics, analysis and design, outline development (software development process), inception, elaboration, managing risks, construction, transition, use case diagrams, class diagrams, interaction diagrams, collaborations, state diagrams, activity diagrams, physical diagrams, patterns, and refactoring basics.

Product Description
Pressured with tight deadlines, application developers do not have the luxury of keeping completely up-to-date with all of the latest innovations in software engineering. Once in a great while, a tremendous resource comes along that helps these professionals become more efficient. The first two editions of UML Distilled have been perennial best-sellers because of their concise, yet thorough, nature. This eagerly-anticipated third edition allows you to get acquainted with some of the best thinking about efficient object-oriented software design using the latest version of the industry-standard for modeling software: UML 2.0. The author has retained the book's convenient format that has made it an essential resource for anyone who designs software for a living. The book describes all the major UML 2.0 diagram types, what they are intended to do, and the basic notation involved in creating and deciphering them. A true treasure for the software engineering community.

1) UML Distilled by Martin Fowler 2) UML Toolkit by Hans-Erik Eriksson & Magnus Penker (* includes a CD-Rom with Rational Rose 4.0 demo). A great second book! You can also obtain a free UML Modeling tool by TogetherSoft.

3) The Unified Modeling Language User Guide by Booch, RumBaugh and Jacobson. A GREAT book and definite read, however I would not recommend it as your first if you are new to modeling (as I am). I was extremely impressed by Grady Booch's writing skill. He infused me with a love for modeling. (I also intend to read his other books.) As a parent I enjoyed his comments regarding teen age daughters in addition to the fine art of dog house construction.

4) Real-Time UML: Developing Efficient Objects for Embedded Systems by Bruce Powel Douglass. A SUPERB book! I am just finishing it. I was impressed with the author's extensive real-time knowledge and appreciative of his ability to communicate it so clearly to interested readers. I found his dry sense of humor entertaining and intend to look into the Dave Barry reference. I only wish I had time to immediately sit down and read his second real-time book "Doing Hard Time". It is however waiting on my office shelf.

Thanks to all the authors sited. Good luck to you on your discovery of the UML.


Excellent Introduction to UML   June 26, 2001
Vladimir Levin (Calgary, AB, Canada)
24 out of 26 found this review helpful

This is, in my opinion, an excellent book. It's short and sweet; it includes enough information to be useful without going off the deep end into territory of interest primarily to academics. This book emphasizes a refreshing, low-ceremony approach to software development. All the major aspects of UML are discussed: Use cases, class diagrams, sequence diagrams, collaboration diagrams, stereotypes, packages and collaborations, state diagrams... I found the concise explanation of the differences between association, aggregation and composition to be especially useful. At the end of the book the author also goes through a simple example using Java to show how to get from modelling to an actual piece of code. If you are a solid intermediate-level developer, this book is an invaluable stepping stone on the path toward mastery of object-oriented design techniques. It would probably be somewhat useful for a beginner, and would probably be rather too trivial for a sophisticated software designer.


More informative than more comprehensive UML books   February 5, 2001
Linus W Freeman (Alexandria, VA United States)
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

Martin Fowler's UML Distilled surprised me as being a better read than The UML Users Guide by the three amigos. Martin Fowler manages to provide an overview of UML in a short book that actually has information lacking in bigger, more complete UML books. The definition of the three main perspectives of UML diagramming: Conceptual, Specification, and Implementation; as well as the better coverage of Activity Diagrams and advanced concepts and techniques normally not thought to be covered in an overview book, make this book the quickest way to get an overall feel and understanding of the UML.


Great if you know OO   January 6, 2000
Tom O Bjorkholm (Stockholm, Sweden)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

This book is a really great introduction to UML if you already know some object oriented design (OOD).

If you have some experience in object oriented programming (C++, Java, Smalltalk) or have some experience with other OO design notations like OMT or Booch, then you will truly appreciate this book. The information is densely packed. The book provides an enjoyable quick tour of a reasonable complete UML notation.

The style of writing is informal and easy to read. This is a book that can be read from cover to cover in one day without getting exhausted.

This book is not an introductory book to object orientation (OO). If you haven't programmed in (object oriented) C++, Java or Smalltalk, then you should look for another book.

The book is also a great "quick" reference to UML. The text is organized so that it is easy to find any of the described topics. But, the book is not an exhaustive reference manual. There are quite a few details missing.

The price of the book is hight considering the low page count. On the other hand, it is worth much to have a book were you can find the information you need fast.