UML use case diagram implementation

[ibirothe]

Automatically layout use case diagrams from structured input. This is VERY useful in solution architecture.

This issue involves all conceptional work, that is needed to find a practical input format.

UML Use Case Diagrams.

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1. Actor Notation

• Shape: Stick figure
• Placement:
  • Always outside the system boundary
• Inheritance:
  • Solid line with hollow triangle
  • Triangle points to the parent actor

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2. Use Case Notation

• Shape: Oval (ellipse)
• Placement:
  • Always inside the system boundary
• Inheritance:
  • Solid line with hollow triangle
  • Triangle points to the parent use case

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3. System Boundary

• Shape: Rectangle
• Contents:
  • Only use cases are allowed inside
• Actors:
  • Never placed inside the boundary

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4. Association (Actor ↔ Use Case)

• Line type: Solid line
• Arrowhead: None (by default)
• Connection:
  • Actor ↔ Use Case only

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5. «include» Relationship

• Line type: Dashed line
• Arrowhead: Open arrow
• Direction:
  • From base use case → included use case
• Label:
  • «include» (with guillemets)
  • Placed near the line
• Connection:
  • Use Case → Use Case only

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6. «extend» Relationship

• Line type: Dashed line
• Arrowhead: Open arrow
• Direction:
  • From extending use case → base use case
• Label:
  • «extend»
• Optional:
  • Extension point name in brackets (rarely shown)

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7. Generalization (Inheritance)

Applies to actors and use cases.

• Line type: Solid line
• Arrowhead: Hollow triangle
• Direction:
  • Child → Parent
• Label: None

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8. Visual Legend (Quick Reference)

Element	Shape	Line	Arrow
Actor	Stick figure	—	—
Use Case	Oval	—	—
System	Rectangle	—	—
Association	—	Solid	None
«include»	—	Dashed	Open
«extend»	—	Dashed	Open
Generalization	—	Solid	Hollow triangle

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