Difference between Sequence diagram and Collaboration diagram


Both Sequence diagrams and Collaboration diagrams are types of Unified Modelling Language (UML) diagrams that provide a pictorial representation of any behavioral flow among the objects or components in a system.

We can distinguish between these two types of UML diagrams based on the basis of what each of them emphasizes. Read this article to learn more about sequence diagrams and collaboration diagrams and how they are different from each other.

What is a Sequence Diagram?

A Sequence Diagram is one that represents the sequence of messages flowing from one object to another. The main emphasis is on representing how the messages or events are exchanged between objects and in what time-order.

A Sequence diagram is primarily intended to represent the interaction between different objects by pictorial representation of the message flow from one object to another. Basically, a sequence diagram is a time-ordered diagram, i.e. it shows the exact interactions between the objects step by step.

What is a Collaborative Diagram?

A Collaborative Diagram is one that represents how one object is connected to another to implement the logic behind these objects. In a collaborative diagram, conditional structures, loops, concurrency, etc. are used for implementing the logic among the connected objects. It is basically used to show the organization of objects.

In collaborative diagrams, the objects are displayed by using rectangles, messages are represented using an arrow and a sequence number. The focus is on representing the organization of objects and the interaction among them.

Difference between Sequence Diagram and Collaboration Diagram

Following are the important differences between Sequence Diagram and Collaboration Diagram −

Key

Sequence Diagram

Collaboration diagram

Definition

A Sequence diagram is a type of UML diagram in which the main representation is of the sequence of messages flowing from one object to another; also main emphasis is on representing that how the messages/events are exchanged between objects and in what time-order.

A Collaboration diagram is a type of UML diagram in which the main representation is of how one object is connected to another implementing the logic behind these objects with the use of conditional structures, loops, concurrency, etc.

Main focus

The focus is on representing the interaction between different objects by pictorial representation of the message flow from one object to another object. It is time ordered that means exact interactions between objects is represented step by step.

The primary objective is to represent the structural organization of the system and the messages that are sent and received.

Type

A Sequence diagram models the sequential logic, ordering of messages with respect to time, so it is categorized as Dynamic modelling diagram.

A Collaboration diagram mainly represents the organization of a system, so it is not classified as Dynamic modelling diagram.

Use case

Sequence diagram is used to describe the behavior of several objects in a particular single use case with implementation of all possible logical conditions and flows.

Collaboration diagrams are used to describe the general organization of system for several objects in several use cases.

Conclusion

The most significant difference between the two is that a sequence diagram is a diagram that represents how the messages or events are exchanged between the objects of a system and in what timeorder, while a collaboration diagram is a diagram that represents how one object is connected to another to implement the logic.

Updated on: 22-Feb-2023

5K+ Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements