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New Post 11/30/2011 6:06 PM
User is offline a3000
5 posts
10th Level Poster


Use Case Extension Points and Alternative Flow 

 I'm having some trouble understanding use case extension point and alternative flow. I have been reading many different sources and I think I got more confused. From my understanding AF is variation or exception to the basic flow. EP is the branching of a use case...

 

Can someone please define these two concepts and provide some examples? 

 

 

Thank you!!

 

 
New Post 11/30/2011 9:30 PM
User is offline Adrian M.
765 posts
3rd Level Poster




Re: Use Case Extension Points and Alternative Flow 

If I understand your question correctly, the difference is fairly straight forward. 

Here it is:

  • A Use Case diagram shows actors and use cases as well as relationships between actors and use cases.
  • One type of use case to use case relationship is the <<extend>> relationship - this signifies that one use cases  is extended by referencing another use case.
  • NOTE: The extend relationship can be shown in the use case diagram but an alternate flow cannot be seen in the use case diagram.  This is one distinction.
  • For each use case in the use case diagram, there will be a use case specification which contains the details of the given use case.
  • One of the key constructs of the use case specification is the "Main Flow" which is a step by step description of the behaviour of the use case.
  • The use case steps show the actor/system (business or IT) interactions.
  • One of the system steps can be an extension point. => this is a way of saying that is the place in the main flow where the other use case (extending use case) is referenced.  From a flow perspective the next step to takes place is the 1st step in the referenced use case.
  • An alternate flow is a set of "alternate" steps which are part of the same use case (as opposed to steps in another extending  use case).  Generally, the alternate flow begins by stating which step in the main flow is the step where the alternative starts.

Also, note that an alternate flow in one use case could also contain an extension point which references another extending use case.

Hope this helps!

Adrian


Adrian Marchis
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New Post 12/1/2011 12:45 AM
User is offline Kimbo
456 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Use Case Extension Points and Alternative Flow 

 I have a simpler definition than Adrian's. More a rule of thumb. An extension point is extra functionality; alternates are a different way of doing the main thing. Also the extra functionality usually only happens occasionally.

Kimbo

 
New Post 12/1/2011 6:36 PM
User is offline a3000
5 posts
10th Level Poster


Re: Use Case Extension Points and Alternative Flow 

 Thank you Kimbo and Adrian! 

@ Kimbo

when you mention different ways of doing the same thing..what does that "difference" means? I originally thought an AF is another set of steps that will get you to the successful post-condition ( ex. you can get coffee from the drive thru or walk in to the actual store and buy the coffee) either way you get the coffee. But I think my interpretation is wrong and that's where my confusion started. 

 

Let's take submitting this message that I'm writing as an example...

Usecase name: submit message

step 1. type message

2. click submit

Can  choosing the text box option, checking spelling  and other formatting tools be considered as an AF? And can preview and cancel be extension points?

 

 

Thank you again!

 
New Post 12/2/2011 1:50 AM
User is offline Kimbo
456 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Use Case Extension Points and Alternative Flow 

 The example you gave isn't what I call a use case because its solution. But putting that aside, here's an example of what I mean off the top of my head... (pause as I think of an example) ...

Go to the movies

main course

1. lookup what's on

2. drive to cinema

3. buy ticket

4. watch movie

5. drive home

alternate

after step 1

1. phone box office and book ticket

2 drive to cinema

3. resume main course at step 4.

Extension

after step 4 of main course

1. drive to restaurant

2. eat meal

3. drive home

Kinda simplistic but I hope it helps.

Kimbo

 
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