A package is a grouping of related UML elements, such as diagrams, documents, classes, or even other packages.
Each element is nested within the package, which is depicted as a file folder within the diagram. The elements are then arranged hierarchically within the diagram.
Package diagrams are commonly used to provide a visual organization of the layered architecture within a software system.
Benefits of a package diagram
A package diagram provides benefits to those looking to create a visualization of their UML project.
- Packages provide a clear view of the hierarchical structure of the various UML elements.
- Package diagrams can simplify complex class diagrams into well-ordered visuals.
- They offer valuable high-level visibility into large-scale projects and systems.
- These visuals can be easily updated as systems and projects evolve.
Basic components of a package diagram
A package is shown as a file folder. The package name is shown in the tab areal of the folder. It is used to group elements together based upon data, user interactions, and/or behaviors.
This is the most basic type of element in a package diagram.
The dependency arrow shows how packages are dependent upon one another.
Dependency Types
There are two main types of dependencies in UML package diagrams: access and imports. There are others, but they are not used as much in this class and include Usage, Abstraction, and Deployment.
Access
An access dependency means that one package needs to be able to access the second package. This can be needing to access some of it’s functions or data.
To help identify which packages needs access to one another <<Access>> is written above the line.
Imports
Putting <<Import>> above the line means that the package is being imported into the other package.
UML Package Diagrams was originally found on Access 2 Learn
