Which interpretation is valid when NamedElement A is the Supplier in a specialized Dependency having NamedElement B as the Client, and a Comment indicates that A and B participate in a transformation?

Which interpretation is valid when NamedElement A is the Supplier in a specialized Dependency having NamedElement B as the Client, and a Comment indicates that A and B participate in a transformation?

A. B is the transformation Realization of A.

B. A is the transformation Realization of B.

C. A depends on B.

D. A and B are part of an economic system where A consumes what B transforms.

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

In UML, a Dependency is a relationship that signifies that one NamedElement, the client, depends on another NamedElement, the supplier, meaning that a change in the supplier could affect the client. If NamedElement A is the supplier and NamedElement B is the client in a Dependency relationship, and there is a Comment indicating that both participate in a transformation, the interpretation is that B (the client) depends on A (the supplier) for that transformation. The comment does not necessarily change the nature of the Dependency relationship; it simply adds additional information about the nature of their interaction. A transformation could mean that B transforms A’s supplied element in some way, but in terms of UML Dependency relationships, it would still be interpreted as "A depends on B" or "B requires A for its transformation". This interpretation aligns with the UML 2.x Infrastructure and Superstructure specifications, which explain Dependencies and their meanings within the UML metamodel.