Installing the VisualAge UML Designer

Installation

Those steps:

1. Unzip the downloaded file into the VAST root directory
   By the phrase "VAST root directory" IBM means the d:\ibmvast\vast60 or wherever you chose as a target on the original install. The goodies subdirectory should be at the same level as the image601 directory from which you were just advised to copy the image.
2. Make the <vast>\goodies\UMLDesigner\setup directory the current directory.
   In our previous example this would be d:\ibmvast\vast60\goodies\UMLDesigner\setup
3. Run the appropriate platform-specific setup file, setup_w.bat for Windows or setup_o.cmd for OS/2.
   Provided step 1 was performed correctly two messages detailing a number of files copied should result from this command. This command sets up resources for the UML Designer menus, menu items and diagrams
4. Ensure that the following config maps have been loaded into the VAST development image If not, load them in the following order:
   a. OTIML SGML Support
   b. AbtXmlPrimitive
   c. ENVY/Image Print Previewer
   d. ENVY/Image Drag And Drop

   This is where the instructions start to assume a great deal more experience with VAST than we actually have. For a start, go to the Options menu as shown below and choose Full menus.
   

   This makes the Configuration maps menu item of the Tools menu visible, as shown here.
   

   The Configuration Maps browser is typical of the three column browsers offered throughout VAST. Choosing an item from the list on the left brings up a list in the middle column, and choosing an element from that list brings up items in the right column. In the context of this browser, a configuration map is loaded if an asterisk precedes the application name in the right column. This will not be the case for three of the four configuration maps listed above. To load the map right-click on a selected application and take the load option as shown.
   

   It does no harm to load the last (already loaded) item as well.

5. Swipe and execute the following code from a VAST workspace:
   EtTools moveAllRequiredMapsToo: true

   Here we see the fact that the tool is written in Smalltalk and is being interpreted from its image coming into play. The System Transcript window is (unexpectedly) able to edit its contents, so the easiest thing to do is position to the end of the last message logged, press enter and then paste the line shown into that window. Then highlight this new line in the System Transcript window and choose execute from the Edit menu as shown.
   

   This step ensures that dependencies are handled automatically on the next import.

6. Import the 'Goodies - UML Designer' configuration map from the <vast>\goodies\UMLDesigner\manager\uml.dat file.

   From the Names menu on the Configuration Maps browser take the Import option as shown and navigate to the manager directory as described. There will only be one .dat file in this directory.
   

   The 'Goodies - UML Designer' configuration map should be selectable.
   

   After much scrolling of the system transcript window the following screen should appear:
   

7. Swipe and execute the following code from a VAST workspace:
   EtTools moveAllRequiredMapsToo: false

   See step 5 for the procedures to undo the automatic collection of dependencies on import.
   

8. Load the "Goodie - UML Designer" config map with required maps.

   At this point highlighting the imported goody in the browser shows applications ready to be loaded in the pane immediately beneath the right column of the browser. Select, right-click and Load as shown.
   

   There will be a message halfway through working this list that can be answered with a Yes.
   

   After these steps it is best to exit VAST, saving the image on exit of course, and optionally taking another copy of the image (abt.icx) to give a clean UML Designer baseline image.

   If you re-enter VAST as this point you will see the new menu on the System Transcript window and the options shown.
   

At this point it is probably best to consult the IBM Redbook Using VisualAge UML Designer (SG244997). Have fun! But just as a primer, to whet your appetite, here are a few screenshots. The relationship browser is the heart of UML Designer. Shown below is that browser listing some of the examples shipped with the tool.

Visually, the diagramming tools represent the most impressive screenshots.

The use case diagram tool:

The sequence diagram tool:

And the class diagram tool:

The next installment will attempt to take you through a typical use-case and highlight the advantages offered by this tool in the requirements capture stage of development.