Roles (or Association Ends)
It is possible to describe the different roles played by the classes in associations and to specify their multiplicity and their navigability.
Each end of an association specifies the role played by the class in the association.
The role name is distinguished from the association name in the drawing by its position at the link end. In addition, the role name appears in a normal font, while the association name is italicized.
When two classes are linked by only one association, the name of the classes is often sufficient to describe the role. Role names are useful when several associations link the same two classes.
Examples of roles:
• A client is the order issuer.
• An order is issued by a client.
• An order is prepared from products.
• A product is ordered.
