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Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

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Re: Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

#41

Post by sriram_malhar »

ttd wrote: post #26

I'll put in a plug for an offline diagramming tool that I created, Vexlio ( https://vexlio.com ). It has some neat features like embedded LaTeX equation editing, nice snapping, and a program mode (so you can draw diagrams in Lua code if you prefer that to mouse work).

Where were you hiding all these years! I love this. The latex typesetting and dup'ing objects in a line and circle are two features I miss elsewhere.

Plus programmability!

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

#42

Post by ttd »

zxexz wrote: post #35
ttd wrote: post #26

I'll put in a plug for an offline diagramming tool that I created, Vexlio ( https://vexlio.com ). It has some neat features like embedded LaTeX equation editing, nice snapping, and a program mode (so you can draw diagrams in Lua code if you prefer that to mouse work).

I love Vexlio! I use the Windows version whenever I'm doing diagramming on Windows. As somebody who predominantly uses Linux, I was wondering if you have Linux support on your roadmap? I'm rarely actually in a situation where I could use Vexlio on OSX or Windows, but of you had Linux support I would literally be using it daily (and I'm sure I'm not the only one). I used to use it in Wine, but it took a lot of finicki…

Thanks, I'm glad you like it! I should experiment with Wine to see if any of the finicky behavior is something I can fix on the Vexlio side. There has been a lot of interest in a native Linux version, and it is on the longer-term roadmap. Unfortunately it is a fairly significant undertaking, so it will most likely be a while.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

#44

Post by ttd »

sriram_malhar wrote: post #41
ttd wrote: post #26

I'll put in a plug for an offline diagramming tool that I created, Vexlio ( https://vexlio.com ). It has some neat features like embedded LaTeX equation editing, nice snapping, and a program mode (so you can draw diagrams in Lua code if you prefer that to mouse work).

Where were you hiding all these years! I love this. The latex typesetting and dup'ing objects in a line and circle are two features I miss elsewhere. Plus programmability!

Thanks, I hope you find it useful!

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

#45

Post by mehrundmehr »

I've turned many people onto OmniGraffle. I'm quite the power user. Fortunately it's very well-made software that rewards power users well. I have the full version (the most expensive one) but I use it so much that I feel it's totally justified paying hundreds of dollars for. I also use it for light wireframing instead of Sketch.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

#46

Post by sriram_malhar »

ttd wrote: post #44
sriram_malhar wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where were you hiding all these years! I love this. The latex typesetting and dup'ing objects in a line and circle are two features I miss elsewhere. Plus programmability!

Thanks, I hope you find it useful!

I have played around with it and I like it a lot. The one feature I would like is object connectors that move with the object.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

#47

Post by jillesvangurp »

I use Umlet in the rare case where I actually need to produce a diagram. Umlet has a nice delarative syntax and allows you to create complex diagrams with a minimum of fuss. Which for me is the key point because Imho, most diagrams are completely pointless. The less time spent on them, the better. But sometimes you just have sit down and waste some time on them.

I don't get a lot of value out of diagrams for the work it takes to produce them.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

#48

Post by ljnelson »

Love UMLet (http://www.umlet.com/), particularly for the ability to copy and paste diagrams instantly.

In contrast to some others here, I find quick, simple diagrams immensely useful in resolving long, unproductive discussions. They tend to focus discussions on concepts, ontologies and cardinalities instead of trying to verbally represent mental models.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for diagramming in software engineering?

#49

Post by Jtsummers »

Discere wrote: post #14

I have been using DOT diagrams a bit recently - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_(graph_description_languag... - I like it because I can put into source control too

PlantUML is a cool tool that will generate a lot of the types of diagrams programmers and system designers might like to make and see. Plain text descriptions of the diagrams turned into images. Some of them you could do directly in DOT syntax, but not all or not as easily.

http://plantuml.com (I do, however, seriously dislike how many ads are on the site for this thing)

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