Collaboration   A collaboration is a static construct that models the way a specific set of instances interact with each other. The instances communicate with each by exchanging stimuli in an overall effort to accomplish some purpose.

Explanation

This graphic symbol really represents a set or group of interactions; the representation of the dotted line of the use case adds little meaning to the model. It will typically be seen connected to a use case (usually with the same name) by a realize dependency relationship. It is the interaction diagrams (sequence and collaborations) that ultimately express the mechanisms that are represented by the collaboration ellipse

Related Entries

Collaboration Occurrence  More Specific A collaboration occurrence is related to a collaboration in the sense that a collaboration occurrence describes a specific example of a collaboration. A collaboration describes the overall pattern of the cooperating elements.

Use Case  Graphically Similar,  Used Together A use case is related to a collaboration in the sense that a use case may be described or realized by a collaboration. The collaboration can show the roles that instances play to carry out the behavior expressed in the use case. (Note: A collaboration may be attached to any classifier to express the way it is "realized").