h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Executable UML - A591130
Author: Bob Dodd - U180609

Entry on Executable UML (could be joined with other UML entry)

Yeah, OK, but what the heck is a UML?

I think you should try to explain this for imbeciles like me.

What has UML done to be executed? (OK bad pun, but I really didn't get it)


HELL

Hello
The author hasn't been seen for over six months, and I don't belive this is ready for the guide in its current state.
Evidently the author knows his stuff, but I don't. And still don't, after trying to struggle through.

Unless someone is willing to pick this up and work with it, I don't think it should be here. It's nicely written but very very dense, it's too much for me.

Maybe a move to the FM would be suitable?

Hello, author here...

Sorry, I've just surfaced from 9 months of travelling and studying. I din't even realize the entry had gone into Peer Review.

No, I don't think it's quite ready for the edited guide yet either, and yes I think it needs to be related to the rest of our content on UML. I suggest the entry is simply removed fromt he peer review process and I'll submit myself in a tidied up form later this week. Is that OK?

To answer some of the (very valid) detailed points made so far:

UML is a notation (i.e. a set of stylized diagrams) that together describe how a computer program works and what it does (subtly different things if you think about it). The diagrams work in other contexts, but the main use of the diagrams is in computer software.

There is a difference betwen "Executable UML" and plain old "Rational UML" (for want of a better phrase) which has to do with how you think diagrams of computer software become working computer programs. Formally the difference is between translation and elaboration (which I won't even attempt to explain here), and minor religous wars get fought over which is better. On average more people "elaborate" than "translate", but that ratio is beginning to alter a little, as indeed are the definitions themselves. Executable UML is on the translation side side of the argument.

/bob

Hello, author here...

Sorry, I've just surfaced from 9 months of travelling and studying. I din't even realize the entry had gone into Peer Review.

No, I don't think it's quite ready for the edited guide yet either, and yes I think it needs to be related to the rest of our content on UML. I suggest the entry is simply removed fromt he peer review process and I'll submit myself in a tidied up form later this week. Is that OK?

To answer some of the (very valid) detailed points made so far:

UML is a notation (i.e. a set of stylized diagrams) that together describe how a computer program works and what it does (subtly different things if you think about it). The diagrams work in other contexts, but the main use of the diagrams is in computer software.

There is a difference betwen "Executable UML" and plain old "Rational UML" (for want of a better phrase) which has to do with how you think diagrams of computer software become working computer programs. Formally the difference is between translation and elaboration (which I won't even attempt to explain here), and minor religous wars get fought over which is better. On average more people "elaborate" than "translate", but that ratio is beginning to alter a little, as indeed are the definitions themselves. Executable UML is on the translation side of the argument.

/bob

Hi Bob, good to see you back. You can remove the entry from Peer Review yourself by going to the main page, finding the entry and clicking 'remove'.

I hope it'll return to PR soon though.

Actually, it looks like I can do it myself.