Analysis for Web Applications - The Functional Model and The Configuration Model

The functional model describes two elements of web application :
- User Observable Functions: Delivered by web application to end users. It encompasses any processing functions that are initiated directly by the user. These functions may be implemented using operations within analysis classes but from the point of view of an end-user, the function is the visible outcome.
- Class Operations: Implement behaviors associated with the class. These operations manipulate class attributes and are involved as classes collaborate with one another to accomplish some required behavior.
The UML activity diagram can be used to represent processing details.

The Configuration Model describes the environment that the web application will require on both the server and client side of the system. Although it is very important to consider all configurations that are likely to be used, a web application must be engineered to serve its end-users. Web application resides on a server that provides access via Internet, Intranet or an Extra-net. Server hardware and operating system must be specified. Also, interoperability considerations on the server side should be considered.

Client side software provides an infrastructure that enables access to web application from user's location. Web application content and functionality is delivered by browser software. Each browser has its own peculiarities.