This assignment took me the longest out of all the assignments so far. I think this is because it is the first assignment that really focuses on concrete solutions to the problems. In hindsight, I know I would have had an easier time with this assignment if I internalized the concepts during the previous assignments more. Understanding the requirements of the system are the key to validating the system’s design. Analysis and design absolutely go together, and this assignment slapped me with that; my difficulty with this assignment made the relationship much clearer.

Here’s how I wish I did this assignment:

1. Quickly create a rough draft of the design class diagram based on the domain class diagram. Don’t be afraid to revise the classes to make it work. Understand that the domain class diagram multiplicity might not make sense in the design class diagram. Change is good, and I think it shows that the design is maturing.
2. Create the first cut sequence diagram. During this, revise the DCD as required.
3. Create the multilayer sequence diagram. Again, revise the DCD as required.

Instead of this ideal way, I treated each step as a discrete step, refusing to look back at what I had made previously. I think this is a frustratingly simple thing to resolve, but I didn’t think about it at the time. One of the reasons for doing a sequence diagram in the first place is to revise the DCD. Doing so ensures that the DCD supports the use case that the sequence diagram models.

This assignment was a learning experience and learning journey in more ways than one. Learning how to approach the assignment was the biggest hurdle. However, I also spent much time learning how to use visual paradigm better.

I also had some struggles understanding if I should include inheritance relationships in the DCD, but I resolved that issue by referring to the textbook. It took me multiple times, but I finally found the spot where that was discussed regarding DCDs.

Tips for anyone using visual paradigm:

• For the design class diagram, right-click on the empty space -> presentation options -> configure class presentation options -> uncheck “display as robustness analysis icon”. This will make your diagram look more like the textbook’s.
• Learn how to use the “sweeper” and “magnet” tools. Shortcut keys are w and m, respectively. These help immensely.