A package diagram is a type of structural diagram in UML (Unified
Modeling Language) that organizes and groups related classes and
components into packages. It visually represents the dependencies and
relationships between these packages, helping to illustrate how
different parts of a system interact with each other.
• In a package diagram, several key elements help organize and clarify
the relationships within a system:
• Package: This is the fundamental unit of a package diagram, serving
as a container for various elements like classes and interfaces. It’s
depicted as a folder-like icon with a name label, making it easy to
identify.
• NameSpace: This denotes the name of the package and usually
appears at the top of the package symbol. It helps uniquely identify
the package within the diagram.
• Package Merge: This relationship illustrates how one package can be
merged with another. It’s represented by a direct arrow between the
two packages, indicating that their contents can combine.
• Package Import: This relationship shows that one package can access
the contents of another package, depicted with a dashed arrow.
• Dependency: Dependencies indicate that changes in one package
may affect another. This relationship signifies that one element or
package relies on another, highlighting how interconnected they are.
• Element: An element is a single unit within a package, which can be a
class, interface, or subsystem. Elements reside inside packages and
are connected to the main package. For instance, a class may contain
various functions and variables, all of which are considered elements
tied to that class.
• Constraint: This represents a condition or requirement associated
with a package, typically shown in curly braces. Constraints help
define the rules or limitations for how the package operates.
Package Structure and Notation
Below are the package structures and their notations:
1. Package
2.
Subsystem
3. Dependency
4. Import
5. Merge
Package Relationships
1. Package Merge Relationship
• This relationship is used to represent that the contents of a package
can be merged with the contents of another package. This implies
that the source and the target package has some elements common
in them, so that they can be merged together.
Example:
2. Package Dependency Relationship
A package can be dependent on other different packages, signifying
that the source package is somehow dependent on the target package.
3. Package Import Relationship
This relationship is used to represent that a package is importing
another package to use. It signifies that the importing package can
access the public contents of the imported package.
4. Package Access Relationship
Benefits of Package Diagram
Below are the benefits of package diagram:
• It provides a visual representation of the system’s architecture, showing
that how each elements are organized and interact with each other.
• Package Diagram encourages a modular approach to represent any
system in form of smaller and easy to understand packages. It also
supports the encapsulation of elements into packages which share a
same trait.
• It servers as a common language of commmunication between the
developers and the stakeholders.
• By showing the dependency between the different packages, it become
easy to identify and manage dependencies between the packages, also
it becomes easy to address issues related to coupling and cohesion.
Challenges of Package Diagrams
Below are the challenges of Package diagrams:
• Balancing detail and simplicity in a package diagram is challenging.
• Each package should avoid being overloaded with information to
maintain clarity.
• The focus is primarily on the static structure of system elements.
• Package diagrams may not effectively capture dynamic aspects, like
runtime behaviors or interactions.
• Dependencies among packages are essential to show, but
overemphasis can create clutter.
• Dependencies should be presented clearly and concisely for better
understanding.
Example
