PackageMerge is a template in a Class Diagram that represents a relationship between two packages, indicating that one package (the receiving package) is merging with another package (the merged package). PackageMerge is used to combine or merge the contents of the two packages, integrating their elements in a way that creates a more coherent or simplified model. The receiving package effectively absorbs the contents of the merged package, including its classes, interfaces, datatypes, and other elements.
The PackageMerge relationship helps to manage complexity and maintainability by allowing you to refactor or reorganize the model as it evolves. By merging related packages, you can simplify the structure and reduce potential redundancies or inconsistencies.
Example: In a Class Diagram for a system that manages a hotel booking platform, you might initially have two separate packages: “GuestManagement” and “ReservationManagement”. The “GuestManagement” package contains classes like “Guest” and “GuestPreferences”, while the “ReservationManagement” package includes classes like “Reservation”, “Room”, and “Booking”. As the system evolves, you may decide to consolidate these related packages into a single, cohesive package called “BookingManagement”. You can use a PackageMerge relationship to merge the contents of the “GuestManagement” and “ReservationManagement” packages into the “BookingManagement” package. This simplifies the model and makes it easier to understand and maintain.