This book opens with a basic tour of the essential concepts and modeling diagrams used in UML, including class diagrams, use case diagrams, modeling and basic principles. This book mixes in a theory of software engineering-small, too, but it uses clear examples and actual UML diagrams to illustrate key concepts. Later in this book, the author discusses the diagram notation is more difficult (such as state diagrams and activity diagrams, which can be used to model the behavior of the system). With a combination of expert modeling advice and excellent detail on the specifics of UML, this book will truly essential reading for anyone who wants to use UML for real-world software design.