Integrating XML and non-XML Data via UML

As the use of XML matures within our systems development toolkit, we need a better approach for integrating its schema definitions with other analysis and design activities. The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is described as a useful solution that breaks down walls separating development activities and technologies. A financial derivatives trade application is described where the FpML vocabulary is imported into UML from its XML Schema source, and this is integrated with a Trading Party vocabulary imported from a SOX schema included in xCBL. These XML data definitions are then linked with a relational database schema imported into the same UML model. All of these data definitions are integrated as part of a simple portal application for trade confirmation. The iterative design approach illustrates benefits of UML for rapid analysis and design of new e-business applications that include XML content in part of their design.