This post originated from an RSS feed registered with Python Buzz by Fabiano Weimar dos Santos. Original Post: UML tools and ArchGenXML Feed Title: [Xiru].org Feed URL: http://xiru.org/blog/search_rss?path=/Xiru/blog Feed Description: [Xiru].org - Fabiano Weimar dos Santos' Website. Usefull information about xiru's projects, Plone and Zope community and Python hacks. Latest Python Buzz Posts Latest Python Buzz Posts by Fabiano Weimar dos Santos Latest Posts From [Xiru].org

During a long time I was with a litle doubt: in practice, what is the tool to draw UML diagrams? Well... after another busy week, I had some time to do some tests.

I'm a Plone developer and Python is my live, but I don't know any really usable tool written in pure Python. The nearest solution to a pythonic solution that I know is a small jython window inside ObjectDomain. In fact, all good tools to draw UML diagrams are written in Java or C++.

Duo my concern about ArchGenXML compatibility, I was looking for tools with native support to XMI standard. So.. to proceed with my tests I installed on my notebook the latest version of 3 diferent tools: ArgoUML, Poseidon and ObjectDomain. To be sincere, I didn't did a deep test, but my personal conclusion was clear: Poseidon rocks!

The installed versions were:

- ArgoUML 0.14
- Poseidon 2.1.2 Community Edition
- ObjectDomain R3 b292

All tools have their good and bad points. However, in average, my choice was Poseidon because of the good interface. One "stupid" thing like draw a simple state diagram could be a pain in ArgoUML and ObjectDomain and the final result will be a bit ugly, inded.

After my tests, two questions became in the air: in state diagrams, how to draw a rounded line or a polyline transition between two states on ArgoUML and how to show the transition names on ObjectDomain. Until I don't find the answers, I will use Poseidon ;-)

For now, you should be curiours what I'm doing with UML, ins't it? No problem... here are two diagrams:: and e-commerce Product Diagram and a Product Workflow.