Glossary of Unified Modeling Language Terms - G

G

• Generalization - a relationship between a specific classifier (typically a class) to a more general classifier asserting that the general classifer contains common features among both the specific classifier and the general classifier. Features include, for example, properties, and constraints. The use of generalization is often logically restricted to cases where the specific classifier is a "kind-of" or "sort-of" the general classifier: for example, a Boxer is a "kind-of" Dog. When the classifiers involved are software engineering classes, generalization usually involves reusing code; it is often implemented using inheritance, where the more specific code reuses the more general code.
• Generalization Tree - Several specialized classifiers may point to the same general classifier, forming a generalization tree, where the general classifer contains common features shared by all the specialized versions. As generalization is a relationship, it is possible for a classifer to participate in several generalizations, often being on the specific end or on the general end, forming a directed acyclic graph (DAG) (i.e., no loops).
• Generic -
• Guard - a boolean test that must be satisfied for a Flow of an activity diagram or a Transition of a state machine diagram to be allowed to start