Class diagram and source code.

[John Paterson]

Hi Folks,

If I am given a class diagram and the necessary source code with no other documentation, how should I go about figuring out what exactly is happening in the code.
The class diagram and the necessary code are only just a part of a much bigger system, so running the code and figuring out what is happening may not be feasible, what else should I do? How should I approach the class diagram? Hope someone can advise.

Thanks.


regards
John

[K. Tsang]

Well you know what the purpose of a class diagram is right? Is the source code for this class diagram? Is the class diagram match the source code fields and methods?

[Winston Gutkowski]

John Paterson wrote:If I am given a class diagram and the necessary source code with no other documentation, how should I go about figuring out what exactly is happening in the code.

Well, first: Are you familiar with the semantics of a class diagram? For example: the symbols for inheritance and implementation?

Second: When you say "necessary source", is that a copy of the complete .java file for the class, or just some code snippets that someone has deemed "necessary"?

But basically, the class diagram helps you to visualise where your class sits structurally in context with other classes and interfaces of the system. The "source" should help you to see how the methods specific to your class have been implemented, and hopefully - if they're named and documented well - what they're designed to do.

HIH

Winston

[John Paterson]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. Yes I am aware what a class diagram is about. The class diagram I have is for the specific classes I am going to deal with. The source code is for the entire
system.

regards
John