Scenario-based Synthesis of Annotated Class Diagrams in UML

This paper discusses how to generate a class diagram, annotated with operation descriptions, from a set of sequence diagrams in the Unified Modeling Language (UML). The transformation process consists of the following steps. First, we translate the elements in a sequence diagram to elements of class diagrams using basic transformation rules together with more advanced heuristics. We then use an existing technique for synthesizing state machines from a set of sequence diagrams to describe an overall structure of individual operations. Finally, we transform the synthesized state machines to pseudocode presentations, which are attached to the class diagram as operation descriptions. An example is followed through to illustrate these mechanisms. We have a practical implementation integrated to a real world UML modeling tool, the Nokia TED. This particular transform operation is an integral part of a larger framework of model operations used for checking, merging, slicing and synthesis of UML models.