What does UML stand for, and what is its purpose?

UML stands for Unified Modeling Language. Its primary purpose is to provide a standardized way to visualize and document the designs of software systems. This includes the representation of various aspects of a system, such as structure, behavior, and architectural components, in a diagrammatic format. By using UML, system analysts and designers can create comprehensive diagrams that facilitate communication among stakeholders, including developers, clients, and managers.

UML encompasses a variety of diagram types, each serving different functions, such as class diagrams for depicting the structure of data, sequence diagrams for illustrating how objects interact in a particular scenario, and use case diagrams to show system functionalities from an end-user perspective. This makes UML a crucial tool in systems analysis and design, as it allows for a clear understanding of system requirements and design solutions.

The other options refer to different terminologies or applications that are not the widely recognized definition or usage of UML, further highlighting the accuracy of the chosen definition and purpose.