Lifeline

A Lifeline in a UML Sequence Diagram represents an individual participant in the interaction. In Modeldraw, you can use Lifelines to model objects, actors, or processes that interact over time in your system.

Lifelines

Understanding Lifeline

A Lifeline represents a participant in a sequence of interactions. Key characteristics include:

  • It depicts an object, actor, or process in the system

  • It extends vertically to show the participant's existence over time

  • It can have activation bars to show when the participant is active or performing actions

  • It can be created or destroyed during the sequence

A Lifeline is represented in UML by a rectangle at the top (known as the "head") with a dashed line extending downwards.

Lifelines are fundamental elements in Sequence Diagrams and are used to:

  • Show the participants involved in a particular interaction

  • Indicate when participants are created or destroyed

  • Serve as sources and targets for messages

  • Display activation bars to show when a participant is active

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