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An open source program that allows users to create complex and professional diagrams on desktop devices

An open source program that allows users to create complex and professional diagrams on desktop devices

Vote: (30 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: argouml

Version: 0.35.1

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(30 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

argouml

0.35.1

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Open-source
  • Runs on many different platforms, including the latest version of Windows
  • Supports many programming languages

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Java isn't always stable

ArgoUML is a free and open-source diagramming platform that's built on Java SE technology, so it runs on almost any platform.

Unified Modeling Language (UML) code has long been used by software engineers to model systems and visualize designs before they start writing the real source that powers an application. While this might seem like a way of unnecessarily doubling one's efforts, it actually saves a substantial amount of time.

End-users don't have many options if they want to harness this technology, but ArgoUML represents one of the better ones they do have. All you need to run it is Java, which is installed on many Windows-based machines already. This also makes it easy to deploy on computers running GNU/Linux.

Unfortunately, this does mean it inherits some of the instabilities that users often associate with Java. On the other hand, it also inherits plenty of flexibility.

The UI takes the default look and feel of whatever kind of OS you run it on. Even Macintosh users should find that ArgoUML has a native look to it and runs just as well as any other application they work with.

If you've used any kind of generic chart-making software in the past, then you already know how to use ArgoUML's most basic commands. You can draw flowcharts and other types of diagrams using nothing more than the mouse if you want. In fact, some users have turned to ArgoUML as a high-tech version of a planner.

It's real power comes from it's ability to map out complex software projects before you start coding them. Users can create an individual balloon for each subsection that corresponds to a step in a program's logic. In many cases, modelling the software in this manner will allow coders to find problems before they ever switch on their compiler.

Updates are regularly released, which is good because the app has never actually gotten out of beta. As well as the XML format, ArgoUML supports ten different languages. You can select C++, PHP4 and PHP5 if you plan on developing projects in any of these dialects. It also ships with modules designed to interface with lesser-known languages, including a few that wouldn't have been around when ArgoUML first came around in 1999.

Considering how popular C# has become with Windows programmers, however, it might be this particular language that attracts the most attention. ArgoUML supports C# projects out of the box, and tech-savvy users will be able to find many downloadable plugins to further extend this feature.

Even though it will probably take quite a bit of time to learn how to efficiently use it, ArgoUML should be a popular choice with software engineers from many different disciplines. As schools integrate coding classes into their curriculum, it might also prove to be equally popular with educators.

Pros

  • Open-source
  • Runs on many different platforms, including the latest version of Windows
  • Supports many programming languages

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Java isn't always stable