To create diagramming exercises you must have access to a drawing tool capable of making a GIF.
For example, you might choose a tool such as Visio, or a freeware product. Later in this module, the details of exercise submission are outlined.

If you use an OO modeling computer-assisted software engineering (CASE) tool, you will still have to be able to save your diagram as a GIF in order to submit your assignment. Open Source Case Tools can be acquired by searching the Internet.
However, use of a CASE tool is not required for this course. The course will not provide support for the use of any of the drawing tools or CASE tools, and instructions will not be provided on how to use any of these tools.

Optional books for the course include:
(as indicated below)

1. UML Distilled: Applying the Standard Object Modeling Language
2. UML Toolkit
3. Instant UML

So how can the Unified Modeling Language help solve these problems? UML has become an increasingly popular and powerful component of software development strategies around the world. More than 90 percent of the Fortune 500 companies use it in some form.
Why? Because UML supplies some essential tools that support a professional response to these challenges. UML provides

1. A consistent form of communication that works equally well in analysis and design
2. A visual presentation that works equally well for technical and non technical team members
3. A formal yet flexible standard to ensure consistency and clarity
4. An extensible language that may be tailored to any industry or application type
5. A programming language independent way to specify software
6. A rigorous means to specify software structure and behavior to generate code or even generate complete applications (executable UML)
7. Regardless of the method you use to apply it, UML supports the development of precise and traceable communication that will survive rapid pace of change

you will find a number of helpful references on the Help pages, including a list of frequently asked questions, links to UML Internet and print resources, and links to CASE tool vendor Web sites.
In the next lesson, some of the features you can expect to encounter throughout the course will be examined.