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Quick answers
When should I pick Sequence diagram patterns?
When the story is: API flows, support escalations, lab protocols, checkout steps.
When should I avoid Sequence diagram patterns?
Skip it in cases like: a simple unordered checklist would tell the same story.
Who invented or popularised it?
UML sequence diagrams; text tools like PlantUML and Mermaid
What does it encode?
lifelines and ordered messages across actors
Is it OK in ads?
Yes if one claim is visible at a glance in Meta, Google and retail print; otherwise link to a full figure.
Will a teacher accept it?
Yes for lab reports and poster boards if axes, units and a source line are present.
Sequence diagram patterns encodes values as lifelines and ordered messages across actors. UML sequence diagrams; text tools like PlantUML and Mermaid.
In reports, ads and assignments it fits API flows, support escalations, lab protocols, checkout steps. Skip it when a simple unordered checklist would tell the same story.
Parts
- Mark — The core mark of Sequence diagram patterns is lifelines and ordered messages across actors.
- Scale — The scale must show zero (or a declared break) and units.
- Axis — Axis titles name the variable, not a mood.
- Legend — A legend is weaker than a direct label. Write beside the mark when you can.
- Label — Numbers are optional. If comparison is the job, label the ends only.
- Grid — Keep the grid faint. Data should own the ink.
- Annotation — One annotation sentence. Date the source.
- Frame — A thin frame. Never a 3-D box.
Variants
- Interaction diagram — Variant 1 of Sequence diagram patterns (Interaction diagram). Same encoding, different layout.
- Message timeline — Variant 2 of Sequence diagram patterns (Message timeline). Same encoding, different layout.
- API call map — Variant 3 of Sequence diagram patterns (API call map). Same encoding, different layout.
- Sequence diagram patterns 4 — Variant 4 of Sequence diagram patterns (Sequence diagram patterns 4). Same encoding, different layout.
Labels
- Axis — On Sequence diagram patterns, make Mark readable.
- Legend — On Sequence diagram patterns, make Scale readable.
- Label — On Sequence diagram patterns, make Axis readable.
- Grid — On Sequence diagram patterns, make Legend readable.
- Annotation — On Sequence diagram patterns, make Label readable.
Sequence diagram patterns: honour lifelines and ordered messages across actors, and switch when a simple unordered checklist would tell the same story.