How do you document and track the changes made by refactoring using UML tools?

1 What is UML and why use it for refactoring?

UML stands for Unified Modeling Language, a standard graphical notation for describing the architecture, design, and behavior of software systems. UML diagrams can represent various aspects of your code, such as classes, objects, interfaces, relationships, interactions, states, activities, and components. UML tools are software applications that enable you to create, edit, and visualize UML diagrams. These tools can be extremely helpful in documenting and tracking the changes made by refactoring. They can provide an overview of your system and its components to highlight potential problem areas and improvements in your code. Additionally, they offer a common language and format for communicating with other developers and stakeholders. Moreover, they support various refactoring techniques and patterns while allowing you to generate or reverse-engineer code from UML diagrams.

2 How to create UML diagrams for refactoring?

The first step to create UML diagrams for refactoring is to choose the appropriate type of diagram for the scope and level of detail of your refactoring. For example, if you want to refactor a single class or method, you can use a class diagram or a sequence diagram. If you want to refactor a larger subsystem or module, you can use a component diagram or a package diagram. If you want to refactor the overall architecture or behavior of your system, you can use a deployment diagram or a state machine diagram. The second step is to use a UML tool to create the diagram from your existing code or from scratch. You can use a code editor or an IDE with a UML plugin, or a standalone UML tool. Some UML tools can automatically generate UML diagrams from your code, while others require you to manually draw the elements and relationships. The third step is to label and annotate the diagram with relevant information, such as names, types, parameters, attributes, methods, stereotypes, constraints, and comments. You can also use colors, icons, or shapes to indicate the status or priority of the elements.

3 How to compare UML diagrams before and after refactoring?

The next step to document and track the changes made by refactoring using UML tools is to compare the UML diagrams before and after refactoring. You can use a UML tool that supports diagram comparison or diffing, or you can use a generic diff tool that can compare images or text files. The comparison can show you the added, deleted, modified, or moved elements and relationships in your diagrams. You can also see the impact of refactoring on the metrics and quality attributes of your code, such as cohesion, coupling, complexity, readability, reusability, testability, and maintainability. You can use the comparison to verify that your refactoring has not introduced any errors or inconsistencies in your code, and that it has achieved the desired goals and outcomes.

4 How to document the rationale and benefits of refactoring using UML tools?

The final step to document and track the changes made by refactoring using UML tools is to document the rationale and benefits of refactoring using UML tools. You can create a report that summarizes the main changes and improvements in your code, with screenshots or snippets of UML diagrams, or a presentation that showcases the before and after states of your code, with animations or transitions of UML diagrams. Additionally, you can make a video that demonstrates the steps and effects of refactoring, with voice-over or captions of UML diagrams, or write a blog post or article that shares your experience and lessons learned from refactoring, with examples or illustrations of UML diagrams.

5 How to share and collaborate on UML diagrams for refactoring?

Using UML tools to document and track changes made by refactoring offers a number of advantages, such as being able to easily share and collaborate on UML diagrams with other developers and stakeholders. These tools can support online collaboration, version control, feedback, and review, and integrate with other tools and platforms such as code repositories, issue trackers, project management tools, and communication tools. By sharing and collaborating on UML diagrams for refactoring, you can align your vision with your team and clients, solicit feedback and suggestions, resolve conflicts and merge changes, track progress and status, document changes, and communicate updates.