Computer Science 223 Discussion Questions

Alhir, Chapters 1-2

Discussion questions submitted for Chapters 1 and 2 of Alhir:

  1. How is the architecture-centric nature of UML related to its object-oriented nature? Raz Magar
  2. How will models/diagrams be used in our Web-based project or website? --Khong
  3. The book defined UML as a modeling language and not a programming language. It goes on to define modeling languages. However I am still unclear about the specifics. What are some examples of a modeling language? Or maybe some differences between programming and modeling? Steven Fenigstein
  4. What new requirements does the new world of e-development demand for UML?
  5. In the life cycle model, why is there a need for so many subcycles and phases and what is the purpose of an iteration phase? (Sam Vanderhyden)
  6. On page 17, Alhir discusses different things such as 'methods'. For the most part Alhir is talking just about general planning, but are the 'methods' that he is talking about in any way related to 'methods' in OOP? -Jonathan Kensler
  7. How are the vertical and horizontal partitions different from each other? Examples? Elias Vafiadis
  8. For what reasons was UML adopted in place of the Booch method, OMT, and OOSE? Each method was well suited to a different application, does the problem of additional overhead generated by combining the three languages justify the increased number of UML users? Is it general and simple enough to work almost as well for all three applications? Patrick Dowd
  9. From my understanding of the first two chapters, UML is not a "visual programing language" but a "visual modeling language", however, I am not clear what the authors mean by a "visual modelling language."? What is UML in lay man's terms if there is any? - George Yeboah
  10. what is the difference between sematics and syntax? Anthony Fynn
  11. How does a unified language support better software? If software projects are created within closed environments, it seems that the only unification that is necessary is unification within each environment. Is the UML a tool to make the training process for new employees shorter? josh vickery
  12. The text says that UML is useful for various types of systems, as I read it, not necessarily limited to programming projects. It doesn't give much in the way of examples, however. What types of systems does it work well for modelling? What types of systems require large amounts of extension before it can be made to work? Are there any types of system for which it doesn't work/isn't worth the effort of making it work? Ben Kaiser
  13. From what i understand of UML i think it is a means of better representing the problem in the form of a model so that coding is very simplified. So what is the importance of having a single unified modeling language instead of different ones that solve the problem in different ways? ~Taha Jamal
  14. If the UML is not a programming language but a modeling language, which communicates a model, when is it useful to use UML? How does it relate to other programming languages? - Hisako Watanabe
  15. What were some of the other modeling languages submitted to the OMG? Are any of the viable alternatives to the UML? -Peter Likarish
  16. How many sub-problems is a problem broken into typically, and how much further are those problems then broken down?
  17. In the Problems and Solutions section, problems and solutions are referred to as systems (within parenthesis), whereas in the Problem Solving section, they are referred to as paradigms. What is the difference between the two? Raz Magar
  18. If an object is changed in one diagram, will it change in all other diagrams in which it appears? --Khong
  19. It seems that UML is supported by some of the biggest software development companies. The book explains many ways which they have compbined and used previous languages to create a nearly perfected language. Is there any fear that this language may monopolize the market. Or is this the direction we would like to go with one universal language? Steven Fenigstein
  20. How does the Unified Modeling Language compare to Booch, Objectory, and OMT?
  21. What is meant when it is stated that components of a domain or space are in a self contained situation? (Sam Vanderhyden)
  22. How does the concept of systems 'evolving' fit into what Alhir is describing of phases of development? -Jonathan Kensler
  23. Why are architectural views necessary? Wouldn't a model be sufficient? Elias Vafiadis
  24. Is the language flexible enough to be used in solving problems that do not yet exist? The book describes problems as as-is because they already exist and solutions as to-be because they are later created to reach the target conditions. Can it be used plan for problems that don't currently exist? Or does the language only solve problems that exist in the present, and must be used over again when new issues arise? Patrick Dowd
  25. The distinction between methods and processes offered by the author in Chapter 2 is a little unclear to me? What does he mean by "Processes are the realization of methods"? - George Yeboah
  26. How can a problem be a paradigm and a solution also a paradigm? Anthony Fynn
  27. Is the UML simply a set of jargon to facilitate communication between managers and coders, or does it help the design processs in other ways? josh vickery
  28. Are there modelling languages other than UML are in widespread use today? If so, how do they compare, and what was the rationale for choosing UML over another for this course? Ben Kaiser
  29. What does "allowing variant interpretations of existing concepts when there is no clear consensus" mean and how can it be implemented? ~Taha Jamal
  30. Why does development cycle have multiple development phases? Can one developemnt phase be a develpment cycle itself? - Hisako Watanabe
  31. The UML seems like a powerful problem solving tool: is it ever utilized outside of the CS/business fields? -Peter Likarish
  32. Will it ever be necessary to know older versions of UML, or is it backwards compatible?
  33. Are there other languages like the UML and if so why did we choose UML in particular? ~yasir.
  34. one of UML goals given in the first chapter is that it addresses recurring architechtural complexity problems, what are recurring architectural problems?
  35. For most projects, is a modeling language with this level of abstraction really necessary?
  36. Can we say that the purpose, goal and responsibility of a system as mentioned in the book is to convert some input into some output? ~yasir.
  37. It is not really clear, what does UML is Architecture centric mean ?
  38. Are there other modeling languages that do not use the oo paradigm? Why use the oo paradigm, and is it beneficial to use oo programming languages with the oo modeling language?
  39. What is the purpose of having a unified modeling language if it has to be adapted to every domain?
  40. How does the software development method in Alhir differ from what we learned in 152?

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