Has anyone used UML?

[Alan Gauld]

Frank Millman wrote:
> After 15 years of designing applications using the good 
> old "seat of the pants" method, I have decided that, 
> if I am to move forward, I need a more formal methodology.

Not a bad idea :-)

> I have recently read about UML (Unified Modelling Language), a
> standards-based method of designing and documenting any 
> software project. 

Actually its only a notation. You have to provide the 
method yourself. Thats not a bad thing IMHO, the 
notations are important, the method can vary on 
every project!

> Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of UML 

I use UML every day. I wrote two articles on it on 
InformIT.com - you have to register but its free and 
a great source of free info including entire online 
books.

Search for muy name. You';ll find an article on why 
UML is good in principle - and whats not so good in 
practice. There is also an example of usoing UML in 
a Systems Integration (ie non programming) type project.

HTH,

Alan G.