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Structural Diagrams
Class
Object
Component
Deployment

Behavioral Diagrams
Use Case
Sequence
Collaboration
Statechart
Activity

Collaboration Diagrams

Like the other Behavioral diagrams, Collaboration diagrams model the interactions between objects. This type of diagram is a cross between an object diagram and a sequence diagram. Unlike the Sequence diagram, which models the interaction in a column and row type format, the Collaboration diagram uses the free-form arrangement of objects as found in an Object diagram. This makes it easier to see all interations involving a particular object.

In order to maintain the ordering of messages in such a free-form diagram, messages are labeled with a chronological number. Reading a Colloboration diagram involves starting at message 1.0, and following the messages from object to object.

Notation

Object Objects are instances of classes, and are one of the entity types that can be involved in communications. An Object is drawn as a rectangular box, with the class name inside prefixed with the object name (optional) and a semi-colon.

Actor Actors can also communicate with Objects, so they too can be listed on Collaboration diagrams. An Actor is depicted by a stick figure.

Message Messages, modeled as arrows between objects, and labeled with an ordering number, indicate the communications between objects.

Here is an example of an Administrator using a Web Application to manage a user account. Notice how you can follow the process from object to object, according to the outline below:

1. Find User
   1.1 LookUpUser
2. Update User
   2.1 ValidateUser
   2.2 UpdateUser