UML is a graphical language for visualizing, specifying, constructing, and documenting a system. It offers a standard for describing a “blueprint” of the system (model), including conceptual aspects such as processes, system functions, and concrete aspects such as expressions of programming languages, database schemas, and recycled compounds. ML has several types of diagrams, which show different aspects of the represented entities. With this in mind, it is possible to use efficient tools to make UML diagrams on Linux systems.
Many options to make UML diagrams in Linux
Linux is a very versatile operating system, in which you can find tools for almost anything. That’s why we can locate many programs to use. in other words, Linux is good for almost anything. In the case of UML is not the exception you can find some as:
DIA
Dia is an application for creating technical diagrams. Its interface and features are loosely patterned after the Windows program Visio. Features of Dia include multiple-page printing, export to many formats (EPS, SVG, CGM and PNG), and the ability to use custom shapes created by the user as simple XML descriptions. With this in mind, Dia is useful for drawing UML diagrams, network maps, and flowcharts.
Dia is available in the main repositories of the large Linux distributions, facilitating the installation process.
If you use Debian, Ubuntu or their derivatives:
:~$ sudo apt install dia
For Fedora:
:~$ sudo dnf install dia
If you use OpenSUSE:
:~$ sudo zypper in dia
Or if you use ArchLinux or derivatives:
:~$ sudo pacman -S dia
Its interface is simple, you just have to search in the category to UML and start drawing.
Now, for example, add an actor and a case of any use.
You can export it in different formats, such as PDF and JPG.
ArgoUML
ArgoUML is a UML diagramming application written in Java and published under the EPL License. Since it is a Java application, it is available on any platform supported by Java. To put it differently, you can use it on any Linux distribution and even on Windows or Mac. First, go to the downloads page:
Once downloaded, you must unzip it. And run it as another Java application. Type:
:~$ java -jar PATH_FILE.jar :~$ java -jar argouml.jar
When you load the application, you will see the following:
As you can see there are lots of options for diagramming. I’ll make a class for you to see how it looks like.
It is also possible to display the code generated from the diagram. It supports C++, Java among others.
Like Dia, it is possible to print the diagram or export it as an image.
StarUML
StarUML is for many the most suitable option to work with UML diagrams. It is a powerful open source and multiplatform application with the goal of being a sophisticated software modeler for agile and concise modeling.
I must confess that it is my favorite application when I have to make a UML diagram, due to its flexibility and its many available options.
Supports code generation and reverse engineering for major programming languages including Java, C#, and C++ via open source extensions.
Its installation is very simple, go to its website and download it in appimage format.
Give him execution permission and run it with a double click.
:~$ chmod +x Downloads/StarUML-3.0.2-x86_64.AppImage
Once you start the application you will see something like this.
On the right side, by clicking the secondary mouse button, you can add a new diagram. I will make the class diagram.
As you can see, on the left side, you have the controls with which you can continue creating the diagram. For example, Association, aggregation, composition, dependency among others.
In conclusion, we can say that there are many professional tools to make UML diagrams in Linux. It’s up to you to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Tell us, which of these tools do you use?
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