Episode 1 - Seagull (s01e01)

[note : this article is not yet finished]

This episode of Pimp My Diagram features an enormous sequence diagram from the documentation of the Seagull PHP framework.

(If you need a refresher on UML sequence diagrams, check out this quick introduction to UML sequence diagrams)

The original UML sequence diagram

The chosen diagram depicts a typical process flow in the open source Seagull PHP framework : controller intialization, processing and page rendering.

Have a look at the original sequence diagram (click to enlarge) :

[todo]

How it was done

The original diagram was recreated and improved using Trace Modeler, the easy-to-use and smart UML sequence diagram editor.

If you are still looking for a better way to create your UML sequence diagrams, check out the 30 sec demo to see how easy it really is..

[todo]

Ok, that concludes the commercial break, on with the show!

The improved UML sequence diagram

The goal of this article is to improve the original sequence diagram without changing the actual interaction that it depicts. The improvements are purely based on the diagram itself, I am not familiar with the Seagull framework (nor with PHP for that matter). So if you are Seagull-savvy, you may be able to take it even further.

The actual makeover of the diagram will be done in two phases

• Phase 1 : improve the diagram content
• Phase 2 : split the large diagram into parts

Phase 1

Here is a pimped version of the diagram after phase 1 (click to enlarge)

[todo]

Phase 2

[todo]

In closing...

[todo]

If you want me to pimp your diagram or have seen an interesting one somewhere, send it to me and I'll try to feature it in an upcoming article!

If you have any questions, want to give feedback about this article or have suggestions on how to improve Trace Modeler, don't hesitate to contact me.

Article copyright © Yanic Inghelbrecht 2008, www.tracemodeler.com | last updated on 23/06/2008