#Sequence diagrams software#

Actions are performed with lines that extend between these lifelines. Under each actor or system there are long dotted lines called lifelines, which are attached to them. Reading a sequence diagram begins at the top with the actor(s) or the system(s) (which is located at the top of the page). These models show the logic behind the actors (people who affect the system) and the system in performing the task. In order to construct a system sequence diagram, you need to be familiar with the unified modeling language (UML). The purpose is to illustrate the use case in a visual format. These tasks may include repetitive, simple, or complex tasks. Professionals, in developing a project, often use system sequence diagrams to illustrate how certain tasks are done between users and the system. Indication of any loops or iteration area.Return values (if any) associated with previous messages.Messages (methods) invoked by these actors.This allows the specification of simple runtime scenarios in a graphical manner.Ī system sequence diagram should specify and show the following: Key elements of sequence diagram Ī sequence diagram shows, as parallel vertical lines ( lifelines), different processes or objects that live simultaneously, and, as horizontal arrows, the messages exchanged between them, in the order in which they occur. A system sequence diagram should be done for the main success scenario of the use case, and frequent or complex alternative scenarios. All systems are treated as a black box the diagram places emphasis on events that cross the system boundary from actors to systems.

Sequence diagrams are sometimes called event diagrams or event scenarios.įor a particular scenario of a use case, the diagrams show the events that external actors generate, their order, and possible inter-system events. Sequence diagrams are typically associated with use case realizations in the 4+1 architectural view model of the system under development. It depicts the processes and objects involved and the sequence of messages exchanged between the processes and objects needed to carry out the functionality.

#Sequence diagrams software#

A sequence diagram or system sequence diagram (SSD) shows process interactions arranged in time sequence in the field of software engineering.