javaumljava-modulejava-platform-module-system

What arrows to use in component diagrams to show relations between JPMS layers?


JPMS supports multiple layers. For example boot layer and its two child layers.

And I need to show these layers on UML diagram. For this I selected component diagram where every layer is a component. And my question is what arrows I should use to show relations. I think about dependency arrows:

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but I am not sure. Could anyone say what arrows should be used in this case?


Solution

  • Your assumption is correct: dependency arrows should be used. The direction of a dependency arrow is from the dependent component to the component on which it depends. In this case, Child 1 and Child 2 require Boot layer to be present.

    To clarify the relationship even more, you could attach stereotype «use» to both arrows. The UML 2.5.1 specification, section 7.4.4 says: "A Usage is shown as a Dependency with a «use» keyword attached to it."