UML Distilled

2nd Edition

Not much has changed in the second edition (ISBN: 0-201-65783-X). The areas of change are that chapters 3 and 9 have been rewritten. Chapter 7 has a new section. The book is still excellent. If you have the 1st edition, I see no reason to pay to upgrade to the 2nd edition.

1st Edition

"UML Distlled: Applying the Standard Object Modeling Language" by Martin Fowler (Addison-Wesley Object Technology Series; ISBN: 0201325832) is an introduction to URL. Unlike many OO design/methodology books, this volume is an interesting read and covers the most important parts of UML (Unified Modeling Language) instead of every nitpicking detail. Therefore, it is not a reference book nor intended to be.

After having read a few UML books, this is the best introduction to UML I've seen. The author stays very loose and can keep you awake with what is a very boring (abet important) topic. By the end of the book, you will have gotten a feel for all the major types of diagrams and notation. You'll be ready to use UML and know what you need to know to use it efficiently in most cases.

The book has a introduction, an outline of the process of OO design, and the chapters on each major type of diagram. Finally, it closes with an example showing how to move your diagrams over to code.

Of course, there will be times when "UML Distilled" skips over little nitpicking details of UML. For those, you will need to find an advanced book. I highly recommend this book because it was the first understandable book I've read on UML.