PlantUML Overview

PlantUML is an open-source tool that allows users to create various UML diagrams using a plain text language. It supports a wide range of software development related formats such as Archimate, Block diagram, BPMN, C4, Computer network diagram, ERD, Gantt chart, Mind map, and WBD, as well as visualization of JSON and YAML files.

The language of PlantUML is an example of a domain-specific language (DSL). It uses Graphviz software to lay out its diagrams and Tikz for LaTeX support. Images can be output as PNG, SVG, LaTeX, and even ASCII art.

PlantUML has also been used to allow blind people to design and read UML diagrams. There are various extensions or add-ons that incorporate PlantUML, making it a versatile tool in the software development process.

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 2024-07-03

Links

• PlantUML: https://plantuml.com/
• Domain-specific language (DSL): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain-specific_language
• Graphviz: https://graphviz.org/