
The image below assists in understanding how multiplicity can be expressed in different circumstances.Īs the name indicated, directed association refers to the direction of communication flow within an association relationship. The asterisk represents an intermediated maximum. Therefore, in such relationships, we mark an asterisk with the association line. Instead of restating the entity, we specify the maximum and minimum instances that it can be linked. Multiplicity association refers to cases when a linked class appears multiple times. This means that generalization is linked with displaying the inheritances while the association shows the linking based on commonalities.ĭepending on the linking, the association is further divided into four main types. The generalization represents the ‘kind-of’ relationships, while the association helps show the ‘has-a’ relationship. In comparison, the association links different entities and represents how one class uses the functionality of the other linked object. The entities show a parent-child relationship between a general entity and a unique one with the latter being a specialized form of the general class. Multiple solid lines originate from the main class, i.e: bank, this diagram shows a one-to-many association relationship.Īs the name suggests, generalization is a way of classifying similar objects in a more generalized manner. The labeling is followed by a small arrowhead for a better understanding of the relationship.Īs seen in the example picture below the association relationship is represented between a bank and its employ. Since association relationships mark a communication link between two entities, they should not be ambiguous and labeled clearly.

The association can be shown between one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many classes. The association allows making logical connections through a continuous reference.Īssociations are represented in a UML diagram by a single solid line connecting the same or different classes. The commonality is searched between entities and links are made between them. In layman’s language, association relationships are defined as the relationship between two separate units.
