Applying UML and Patterns : An Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design and Iterative Development (3rd Edition)

Head First Design Patterns

Programming

UML Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Standard Object Modeling Language, Third Edition

Format: Paperback
Author: Martin Fowler
ReleaseDate: 19 September, 2003
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
Rating:

How to communicate software ideas via UML


This book is intended for software professionals who already have some exposure to object-oriented programming and software development. The author does an excellent job in his purpose: teach software engineers how to effectively communicate ideas about software structure and behavior via UML diagrams. It's also for practical software engineers and not academic oriented computer scientists.

This book is not intended to teach you programming, object-oriented methodologies, or software development. It is not intended for software engineers who want to use UML as source code (due to the book's brevity).

All code examples are in Java or C#.
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Distilled Indeed!
A working knowledge of UML is well presented. In UML Distilled, Fowler packs a lot of knowledge into a small volume. Language features are ranked and organized so you can choose chapters to read.

Useful opinions are in the text. Facts and opinions are clearly differentiated. One such opinion is that UML graphical design tools are not quite there yet, and that UML is better for sketching designs freehand.

A great feature of the text is the UML overview inside the covers. Fantastic book!.

not good for beginners, not good for experts
But there are several much, much better UML books out there. This book would be fine if it were the only UML book on the planet. This was a poor effort that appears as if it were hastily prepared. There is as much information about Fowler's favorite ways to write incorrect UML as there is about how to write correct UML. At least the difference is fairly well labeled.

Beginners may find it hard to distinguish between what is normative and what is Fowler's way. Experts should know well enough to buy a more comprehensive book.