Reconceptualization of Class-based Representation in UML

The requirement phase in the software development process is typically formulated using UML diagrams, including use cases and conceptual class diagrams. It is claimed that UML is suitable for modeling at the domain level; accordingly, many enhancements to these diagrams have been proposed to achieve a more comprehensive representation of functionality of the system from the conceptual (computation-independent) point of view. This paper proposes a uniform conceptual methodology that integrates static and dynamic features to provide a foundation for system design in the next phase of development. UML-based modeling and this new methodology are contrasted in examples that demonstrate the feasibility of the new approach for use in formulating system requirements.