An object diagram describes the structure of objects in a system, their identity, their relationships to other objects, their attributes, and their operations. The object diagram provides the essential framework into which the dynamic and functional models can be placed. The goal in constructing an object diagram is to capture those concepts from the real world that are important to an application.
So the purpose of an object diagram is to assist developers in making computer systems and applications of all kinds. It is a general-purpose method, suitable for most kinds of applications. With an object diagram developers can make clear the boundaries of the system they have to develop and visualise what their ideas are and share them. The object diagram must only show the essential elements of the system, so that the developers can understand and manipulate the system before building it.
A second purpose is to make communication with the customer easier. With the object diagram the developers can show what they think are the most essential objects of the system. In this way they can ask the customer if they are developing what he has in mind. They verify if the system satisfies the requirements of the customer.
Last modified: December 22nd, 1995