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UML is a modeling language, not a "graphical notation", and I want to put emphasis on the model. The model could be represented graphically but the whole point

UML is a modeling language, not a "graphical notation", and I want to put emphasis on the model. The model could be represented graphically but the whole point was (or should have been) to capture the model. Having said that, UML had/has problems: * People using it as a diagramming tool rather than a modeling tool. * While many tools exist to create code from the model, there are very few UML tools that can create the model from code or true-up the model from code that had originally been created from the model and then subsequently modified, * Many UML tools lack the ability to generate diagrams from the model, the model is essentially kept hidden from the user - which is a rather odd state of affairs for a modeling language. By hiding the model you also couldn't use UML to explore a code base. * Encourages arguments over the mundane. Too many people got bogged down in the "dots and arrows" rather than focusing on the big picture. I suppose some people used that as an argument that they were being "productive." It's not so much that the idea UML is garbage but rather the tooling typically leaves a lot to be desired. Enterprise Architect is the best I've seen and even it's far from perfect.

lisper 4y ago
> UML is a modeling language No, it isn't. It might have once aspired to be a modeling language, but it is not in point of actual fact a modeling language. The reason is, as you yourself point out, people use it to draw pictures, not to produce models. And the reason for that is that all of the tooling and pedagogy is centered around drawing pictures rather than producing models. An artifact is the thing that people actually use it for. UML is a modeling language in the same sense that (say) a letter-opener is a weapon. You can use a letter-opener as a weapon, but because no one actually does, calling a letter opener a weapon rather than a tool for opening letters is kind of silly.
- taylodl 4y ago
  I would say the opposite is true - UML started off as a diagramming tool and then people realized the value wasn't in the diagrams but in the models. Most of the tooling however view UML as a set of standardized diagrams - which is just about worthless. Anyway, for about the past 15 to 20 years the majority of UML changes have been to the model. As I said, the only tool I know of that's in alignment with modern UML modeling is Enterprise Architect.
  - lisper 4y ago
    > then people realized the value wasn't in the diagrams but in the models Maybe some people realized this, but that realization is far from universal. I challenge you to show me even a single introduction to UML on the web that shows an example of a model rather than a diagram.
    - taylodl 4y ago
      Unfortunately you're not wrong. That's part of why we're in the dismal state we're in.

lisper 4y ago

> UML is a modeling language No, it isn't. It might have once aspired to be a modeling language, but it is not in point of actual fact a modeling language. The reason is, as you yourself point out, people use it to draw pictures, not to produce models. And the reason for that is that all of the tooling and pedagogy is centered around drawing pictures rather than producing models. An artifact is the thing that people actually use it for. UML is a modeling language in the same sense that (say) a letter-opener is a weapon. You can use a letter-opener as a weapon, but because no one actually does, calling a letter opener a weapon rather than a tool for opening letters is kind of silly.

taylodl 4y ago
I would say the opposite is true - UML started off as a diagramming tool and then people realized the value wasn't in the diagrams but in the models. Most of the tooling however view UML as a set of standardized diagrams - which is just about worthless. Anyway, for about the past 15 to 20 years the majority of UML changes have been to the model. As I said, the only tool I know of that's in alignment with modern UML modeling is Enterprise Architect.
- lisper 4y ago
  > then people realized the value wasn't in the diagrams but in the models Maybe some people realized this, but that realization is far from universal. I challenge you to show me even a single introduction to UML on the web that shows an example of a model rather than a diagram.
  - taylodl 4y ago
    Unfortunately you're not wrong. That's part of why we're in the dismal state we're in.