Can I use UML to simulate site navigation

Question

Can I use UML to simulate site navigation? If so, then someone gives me some books / links for links (UML for websites like ... !!!). If not, then what are the tools for this? And basically I'm a programmer, and when I developed my previous website, I just sketched out various page design ideas on paper and chose the one that I thought was suitable. Then I implemented this project using html / css from scratch.

Is this approach generally accepted by all or does it have tools for drawing embedded websites (type Wireframe ..)? Is a CMS for this? Please help me with this.

thanks

Answer 1

From time to time I (ab) use a state diagram to host the site. Each "state" represents a page (or group of pages), each "transition" of a stream from one page (group) to another.

I am not trying to capture the whole navigation: it very quickly becomes impractically noisy. However, this can be useful for capturing primary streams, for example:

• Arrival on the main page, choice of login, go to the login page
• Enter credentials
• If the credentials are correct: go to the landing page after logging in
• otherwise: stay on the login page

etc..

This is not a “correct” state diagram, but may be useful. You can also see the Garrett Information Architecture . This is an individual notation for the same problem, but has a richer character set.

NTN.

Answer 2

You might find this article helpful: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/4697.html

This article describes how to use user interface navigation through UML activity diagrams.

Answer 3

Perhaps you should take a look at UWE , as it is as close as possible to UML and can do the job. The only problem is that few textbooks or documentation are available.

Answer 4

If you use UML in other parts of the design process, it makes sense to make sure that the user interface you compiled matches your use case. However, I have never used UML to actually design a site layout or stream.

We use Axure to simulate user interfaces, as this allows the user / user to play with the stream before wasting time processing the actual pages.

However, I am still doing my site design with pencil and paper.

Answer 5

That's right.

UML state diagrams work for this purpose. I worked in large companies, where it was standard practice and with great success (even subject to strict rules and UML practices).

The key is to remember that it is you who want to communicate with your chart, and not try to model too many aspects in one chart. Also remember your audience. If you need to explain UML to them how UML works, then UML is not suitable for your situation.

I strongly disagree with those who consider this to be an “abuse” of UML. Consider that state diagrams represent various system states and transitions between them caused by events. When you present the user interface navigation, you present the user interface forms as state and user actions, as well as user interface events as events that result in a change in the context of the system user interface instance presented to the user.

You may not agree with me, but please provide evidence or support for your arguments.