5.3. UML Software and Tools

Important

Before you continue reading, it is important to note that you do not need a special program to work with UML. It is quite possible (and encouraged) that you practice drawing UML diagrams by hand either on paper or in your note-taking software. The purpose of a UML class diagram is to help visualize multiple classes and their relationships. Over the years, we’ve seen many students skip directly to using UML software and get frustrated. Since these programs have a learning curve, students spend too much time trying to figure out, for example, how to mark something as protected in the program when they could have simply written # had they done it by hand. These tools are great, and if you want to learn them, then you should. Just try to make sure that they do not negatively impact your productivity, especially near a deadline.

Below is a list of popular UML software programs. You are not required to have access to one for this course. While many of these programs do require a paid license, you are encouraged to seek out a free community edition or a free/reduced-price student license before making any purchases. If you find a tool that is not on the list, then please let us know.

• Astah UML

• Diagrams.net

• PlantUML

• StarUML

• Umbrello

• UML Designer

• Visual Paradigm

You may be surprised by how much a regular license costs for some of the programs above. In practice, if you need a program like this for your job, then it is common for your company to pay for the license just as many companies do for programs like Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, etc.