Applying UML and Patterns : An Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design and Iterative Development (3rd Edition)

Rating:
Summary: A great learning book for overview of software engineering
Review: This book uses a POS system example to give the idea of software development from the beginning to the end. It concentrates on software designs and artifacts on each phase with good detail description. However, since each software development phase is large topic, it can not give every aspect of design concept but it can give you an overview anyway. This book is great for anyone who interests to apply systematic process to software development but does not know where to start.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Introduction to OOAD, Patterns and UML
Review: This is a very good introductory level text on object-oriented software analysis and design, software patterns and the Unified Modeling Language (UML). I used this book to study for a certification test, but its worth reading even if you don't have a test hanging over your head. The writing is clear and the book is well organized with many useful diagrams and tables. Larman guides the reader through the most important phases of a software project using a point of sale (POS) system case study. The case study is well chosen because its problem domain is familiar to most people and it has enough interesting aspects to illustrate the use of the Unified Process, application of design patterns and the UML very well. Time reading this book will be well spent. You will not only bet a better understand of how to use the process and tools, but also why and when they are useful. I have only two minor criticisms: The index seems inadequate making it a little harder than necessary to use as a reference, and its bias toward the Java programming environment when reference is made to implementation specific issues.