Implementation relationships

In UML modeling, an implementation relationship is a specialized type of realization relationship between a classifier and a provided interface. The implementation relationship specifies that the realizing classifier must conform to the contract that the provided interface specifies.

Typically, implementation relationships do not have names. If you name an implementation, the name is displayed beside the connector in the diagram.

As the following figure illustrates, an implementation relationship is displayed in the diagram editor as a dashed line with a hollow arrowhead. The implementation points from the classifier to the provided interface.

A component shape, called Component1, is connected to an interface shape, called Interface1, by a dashed line. A hollow arrowhead points from the component shape to the interface shape. The component shape is divided into three sections. The top section contains the name and stereotype of the component. The middle section is empty. The bottom section, which is the provided interface compartment, contains the name Interface1.
Related tasks
Specifying relationships in UML diagrams
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