Difference between association and dependency?
In a UML class diagram, what is the difference between an association relationship and a dependency relationship?
From what I know, an association is a stronger relationship than a dependency, but I'm not sure how it is stronger.
Any example would be more than welcome :)
An association almost always implies that one object has the other object as a field/property/attribute (terminology differs).
A dependency typically (but not always) implies that an object accepts another object as a method parameter, instantiates, or uses another object. A dependency is very much implied by an association.
In OOP terms:
Association --> A has-a C object (as a member variable)
Dependency --> A references B (as a method parameter or return type)
public class A {
private C c;
public void myMethod(B b) {
b.callMethod();
}
}
There is also a more detailed answer.