This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Nuri Ensing
I was trying to look up what the open ring and ball symbols in UML diagrams represent, but I found scattered and unsatisfying answers across the internet. Finally, I stumbled upon a StackOverflow post, but even then, the explanations didn’t fully satisfy me. So, I decided to post my own answer on StackOverflow: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8307724/using-lollipops-sockets-in-uml-why-and-when/78941132#78941132
Since my posts often serve as notes for myself and the wider world, I decided to expand on the topic here.
Lollipops and Sockets in UML 2
In UML 2, you have the following symbols:
Lollipop: A small circle connected to a line: o----
Socket: An open ring with a line: ---(
Lollipops and sockets are used in UML to give a big-picture view when you want to show how different parts of your system connect and work together without diving into too much detail. They’re mostly used in component diagrams, where a component represents a module or subsystem that functions independently but can interface with the rest of the system.
How It Works
To keep things simple, if you see a block with a line ending in an open ring, that block needs to get information or services from somewhere else in order to do its job. So, it is dependent on something, and that “something” will be represented by another block with a lollipop (a small circle). These blocks are then connected to each other to perform the complete function.
Example
Consider an Authentication Service component that provides user authentication services, such as verifying usernames and passwords. Another component, like a website — for example, stackoverflow.com (represented as a block with a socket) — needs to verify user credentials before granting access to user accounts.
The Authentication Service component (on the left) is represented with a lollipop symbol, indicating that it provides the authentication service.
The Stackoverflow.com component (on the right) is represented with a socket symbol, showing that it requires the authentication service to verify user credentials before granting access.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Nuri Ensing
Nuri Ensing | Sciencx (2024-09-02T15:17:50+00:00) #UML — Understanding Lollipops and Sockets in UML: A Clear Explanation. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2024/09/02/uml-understanding-lollipops-and-sockets-in-uml-a-clear-explanation/
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