Use case diagrams in LLD - Architecture Diagram

System Overview - Use case diagrams

A use case diagram visually shows how users (actors) interact with a system. It helps understand what the system does from the user's point of view. Key requirements include identifying actors, their goals, and the system's main functions.

Architecture Diagram

          +---------------------+
          |      System         |
          |  +---------------+  |
          |  | Use Case 1    |  |
+------+  |  +---------------+  |  +--------+
|Actor1|--|->| Use Case 2    |<-|--|Actor2  |
+------+  |  +---------------+  |  +--------+
          +---------------------+

Components

Actor1

actor

Represents a user or external system interacting with the system

Actor2

actor

Another user or external system interacting with the system

Use Case 1

use_case

A specific function or goal the system provides for Actor1

Use Case 2

use_case

Another function or goal shared by Actor1 and Actor2

System

system_boundary

Defines the scope of the system and contains use cases

Request Flow - 4 Hops

Actor1 → Use Case 1

Actor2 → Use Case 2

Use Case 2 → Actor1

Use Case 2 → Actor2

Failure Scenario

Component Fails:System

Impact:Actors cannot perform use cases; system functions are unavailable

Mitigation:Define fallback processes or manual operations outside the system

Architecture Quiz - 3 Questions

What does an actor represent in a use case diagram?

A A software module inside the system

B A user or external system interacting with the system

C A database storing system data

D A network device routing requests

Design Principle

Use case diagrams focus on user goals and system functions, helping clarify system scope and user interactions before detailed design.

Practice

1. What is the primary purpose of a use case diagram in system design?

easy

A. To show user roles and their interactions with the system

B. To display database table relationships

C. To illustrate the internal code structure

D. To list all system hardware components

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of use case diagrams

   Use case diagrams focus on users (actors) and what they do with the system (use cases).

2. Step 2: Compare with other diagram types

   Database diagrams show tables, code diagrams show code structure, hardware diagrams show physical parts, none are use case diagrams.

3. Final Answer:

   To show user roles and their interactions with the system -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use case diagram = user roles + actions [OK]

Hint: Use case = users + actions, not code or hardware [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing use case diagrams with class or sequence diagrams
• Thinking use case diagrams show database details
• Assuming use case diagrams show internal code logic

2. Which of the following is the correct symbol for an actor in a use case diagram?

easy

A. A rectangle with the actor's name inside

B. An oval shape showing a system function

C. A stick figure representing a user

D. A diamond shape indicating a decision

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify actor symbol in use case diagrams

   Actors are shown as stick figures to represent users or external systems.

2. Step 2: Differentiate other symbols

   Ovals represent use cases (functions), rectangles can be system boundaries, diamonds are for decisions in flowcharts, not use case diagrams.

3. Final Answer:

   A stick figure representing a user -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Actor symbol = stick figure [OK]

Hint: Actors are stick figures, use cases are ovals [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using rectangles for actors instead of stick figures
• Confusing use case ovals with actor symbols
• Mixing flowchart symbols with use case diagram symbols

3. Consider a use case diagram with actors Customer and Admin, and use cases Place Order, Cancel Order, and Update Inventory. Which use case should only be connected to the Admin actor?

medium

A. Place Order

B. Cancel Order

C. Place Order and Cancel Order

D. Update Inventory

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze actor responsibilities

   Customers place and cancel orders; Admin manages inventory updates.

2. Step 2: Match use cases to actors

   Only Admin should connect to Update Inventory as it is a system management task.

3. Final Answer:

   Update Inventory -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Admin-only use case = Update Inventory [OK]

Hint: Admin manages system tasks, customers do orders [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Connecting customers to inventory updates
• Assuming customers can update system data
• Linking all use cases to all actors

4. A use case diagram shows an actor connected to a use case with a dashed arrow labeled <<extend>>. What does this indicate?

medium

A. The extended use case adds optional behavior to the base use case

B. The actor is not allowed to perform the extended use case

C. The actor must always perform the extended use case

D. The use case is a system boundary

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand <<extend>> relationship

   The <<extend>> arrow shows optional or conditional behavior added to a base use case.

2. Step 2: Interpret actor connection meaning

   The actor can perform the base use case; the extended use case happens only sometimes.

3. Final Answer:

   The extended use case adds optional behavior to the base use case -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   <<extend>> = optional behavior [OK]

Hint: <<extend>> means optional addition, not mandatory [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking <<extend>> means mandatory action
• Confusing <<extend>> with <<include>>
• Assuming <<extend>> defines system boundaries

5. You are designing a use case diagram for an online library system. Which of the following best represents a correct use case for the Member actor that includes an Admin actor managing the system?

hard

A. Member: Add Book, Remove Book; Admin: Borrow Book, Return Book

B. Member: Borrow Book, Return Book; Admin: Add Book, Remove Book

C. Member: Borrow Book, Add Book; Admin: Remove Book, Return Book

D. Member: Remove Book, Return Book; Admin: Borrow Book, Add Book

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify typical member actions

   Members usually borrow and return books, not manage inventory.

2. Step 2: Identify admin responsibilities

   Admins add or remove books to keep the library updated.

3. Step 3: Match actions to actors correctly

   Member: Borrow Book, Return Book; Admin: Add Book, Remove Book correctly assigns borrowing and returning to Member, and adding/removing to Admin.

4. Final Answer:

   Member: Borrow Book, Return Book; Admin: Add Book, Remove Book -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Member = borrow/return, Admin = add/remove [OK]

Hint: Members use books; Admins manage books [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping member and admin roles
• Assigning management tasks to members
• Mixing use cases between actors