Visual Modeling with Rational Rose 2002 and UML (3rd Edition)

An association is a bidirectional semantic connection between classes. It is not a data flow as defined in structured analysis and designdata may flow in either direction across the association. An association between classes means that there is a link between objects in the associated classes. For example, an association between the Course class and the ProfessorCourseManager class means that objects in the Course class are connected to objects in the ProfessorCourseManager class. The number of objects connected depends upon the multiplicity of the association, which is discussed later in this chapter. In the UML, association relationships are shown as a line connecting the associated classes, as shown in Figure 6-1.

CREATING AN ASSOCIATION RELATIONSHIP IN RATIONAL ROSE

1. Click to select the Association icon from the toolbar. The association icon may be added to the toolbar by right-clicking on the toolbar and selecting the Customize menu command.

2. Click on one of the associated classes in a class diagram.

3. Drag the association line to the other associated class.

An association relationship is shown in Figure 6-2.