Checkpoint
Where We've Been
Successful software development requires that complex problems be broken down into smaller, more comprehensible and manageable tasks.
By iteratively applying sound approaches to construct each increment, the project team manages risk while producing a quality deliverable.
Successful projects require a sound software process model; the process model used in this book is called the Unified Process from Rational Software.
The project team must effectively market the benefits of an iterative, incremental, risk-based approach to software development.
The Unified Modeling Language consists of nine different, semantically rich, interlocked diagrams. These diagrams, when used in conjunction with a sound software process, enable deliverables to be traced throughout the project's lifecycle.
Not all of the UML diagrams need to be used in every project. At a minimum, all projects will produce class, sequence, and use-case diagrams.
Some other artifacts aren't included in UML (e.g., graphical user interface, process and data distribution), but they add additional relevance to the picture of the application domain.
A project that uses UML in a vacuum, without a sound software process and accompanying project plan, will fail.
Where We're Going Next
In the next chapter we:
Explore why Java is one of today's most commonly used implementation languages.
Discuss Java's capabilities for building sound, object-oriented applications.
Cover why Java lends itself to utilizing a sound software process in conjunction with UML to improve a project's results.