Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Systematic stereotype usage

Software & Systems Modeling volume 2, pages 153–163 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

As one of the UML’s main extension mechanisms, stereotypes play a crucial role in the UML’s ability to serve a wide and growing base of users. However, the precise meaning of stereotypes and their intended mode of use has never been entirely clear and has even generated significant debate among experts. Two basic ways of using UML stereotypes have been observed in practice: One to support the classification of classes as a means of emulating metamodel extensions, the other to support the classification of objects as a means of assigning them certain properties. In this paper we analyze these two recognized stereotype usage scenarios and explain the rationale for explicitly identifying a third form of usage scenario. We propose some notational concepts which could be used to explicitly distinguish the three usage scenarios and provide heuristics as to when each should be used. Finally, we conclude by proposing enhancements to the UML which could support all three forms cleanly and concisely.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Wirfs-Brock, R., Wilkerson, B., Wiener, L.: Responsibility-driven design: Adding to your conceptual toolkit. ROAD, 1(2): 27–34, July–August 1994

  2. OMG. Unified Modeling Language Specification, Version 1.4, 2000. Version 1.4, OMG document ad00-11-01

  3. Henderson-Sellers, B.: The use of subtypes and stereotypes in the UML model. Journal of Database Management, 13(2): 43–50, 2002

  4. Berner, S., Glinz, M., Joos, S.: A classification of stereotypes for object-oriented modeling languages. In: France, R., Rumpe, B. (eds.) Proceedings of the 22 International Conference on the Unified Modeling Language, LNCS, vol. 1723. Springer Verlag, Berlin, October 1999, pp. 249–264

  5. Fontoura, M., Pree, W., Rumpe, B.: The UML Profile for Framework Architectures. Addison-Wesley, 2002

  6. Conallen, J.: Building Web Applications with UML. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 2000

  7. Atkinson, C., Kühne, T.: Strict profiles: Why and how. In: Evans, A., Kent, S., Selic, B. (eds.) Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on the UML 2000, York, UK, LNCS, vol. 1939. Springer Verlag, October 2000, pp. 309–323

  8. Atkinson, C., Kühne, T., Henderson-Sellers, B.: To meta or not to meta – that is the question. Journal of Object-Oriented Programming, 13(8): 32–35, December 2000

  9. Selic, B.: Re: Ask about UML. email communication 10:15:56 -0400, September 2001. email to third author and others

  10. Atkinson, C., Kühne, T.: Meta-level independent modeling. In: International Workshop Model Engineering (in Conjunction with ECOOP’2000). Cannes, France, June 2000

  11. Atkinson, C., Kühne, T.: The essence of multilevel metamodeling. In: Gogolla, M., Kobryn, C. (eds.) Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on the UML 2000, Toronto, Canada, LNCS vol. 2185. Springer Verlag, October 2001, pp. 19–33

  12. Leivant, D.: Higher order logic. In: Gabbay, D.M., Hogger, C.J., Robinson, J.A. (eds.) Handbook of Logic in Artificial Intelligence and Logic Programming, vol. 2. Oxford Science Publications, 1994, pp. 229–321

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

    Colin Atkinson

  2. Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany

    Thomas Kühne

  3. University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

    Brian Henderson-Sellers

Authors
  1. Colin Atkinson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thomas Kühne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brian Henderson-Sellers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Colin Atkinson, Thomas Kühne or Brian Henderson-Sellers.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Atkinson, C., Kühne, T. & Henderson-Sellers, B. Systematic stereotype usage. Softw Syst Model 2, 153–163 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-003-0027-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-003-0027-9

Keywords

search

Navigation