We had covered it to model with the Goal Structured Notation but I had not really looked into it for UML modeling. Right now it’s completely free though its future business model is unclear. And it’s also a real modeling tool where you can even export your models as XMI files and import them in other tools for further modeling/analysis. GenMyModel is a great free, online and usable suggestion.At some point there was an initiative to create a “Papyrus for Education” version. Just installing them is not easy so they may not be the best tools for beginners. They do satisfy most of the requirements above but I have my doubts regarding the usability one. Modelio Open source and Papyrus were also mentioned.Visual Paradigm has indeed a free version (the online version) but at least such free version is more of a drawing tool than a modeling one as I was able to create nice cycles of generalizations with it (obviously, forbidden in UML).Otherwise, tools may just scare them (see my own experience).Īnd now let’s see the tools that you suggested: If we had good and really usable tools, teaching beginners with tools from day one would be a way to help them quickly understand the benefits of modeling. I agree with this one as well for in-classroom discussions or to introduce new students to the world of modeling without tools interfering in the process. Pen and pencil was also mentioned as an alternative.I still think that graphical representation is the best option for some diagrams, especially to discuss alternative representations. I see them as really useful to deliver assignments or to create UML diagrams to be embedded in other documents, as longa as the actual teaching of UML concepts and constructs is done either on the whiteboard or with a different (graphical) tool. For convenience, textual UML tools (eg.A few of you suggested tools that were free / open source before but no more! There are not many open source options, nor commercial tools offering a free academic licenses (so that you can use the full features of the tool for free instead of a limited free plan).Thank you all for your comments (especially via the comments on this post and this LinkedIn threat). This is not really needed to teach UML but it helps to motivate the students about the benefits of learning modeling.Īnd, if I can dream, it should support OCL to avoid resorting to more “esoteric” tools in advanced modeling courses.ĭo you know a tool that checks all these boxes? (I don’t!) Or that comes close? If not, what tool do you use and why? Summary of your opinions and suggestions At the same time, it would be great if it accepts some flexible / incomplete modeling process where models are eventually consistent but allows for some iterative process instead of assuming models should be precise, complete and correct from the let go.It must be a real modeling tool, not a drawing one.This includes the installation process (or switch to a web-based UML tool). And providing an intuitive and easy-to-use UML modeling tool is key for this. We do not want to give a bad first impression.
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