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I have been using few UML modeling tools like argoUML and starUML for quite some time. I have [already blogged][1] about my first impressions on argoUML.In that blog post, one user replied that I should have a look at starUML which is also free/open source and is lot better than the argoUML modeling tool. So, I tried starUML also. After using both UML modeling tools, here are my observations on them.

## starUML

[**starUML**][2] is an open source UML modeling application licensed under a modified version of GNU GPL. Since the goal of starUML is to compete with the commercial UML modeling applications like Microsoft's Visio and IBM's Rational Rose, starUML boasts a complete set of UML modeling features.

#### Pros / Features of starUML

- Supports most of the diagrams specified in UML 2.0.
- Very rich feature set and formatting options.
- Ability to generate source code from the UML diagram.
- Reverse engineer the existing code into UML diagrams.
- Supported languages : C , C# and Java.
- Fast load time/execution time compared with other UML tools.
- Familiar _Visual Studio_ like user interface.
- Supports exporting diagrams into JPG / XMI formats.

#### Cons of starUML

- Does not supports exporting diagrams into SVG format.

## argoUML

[**argoUML**][3] is written in Java and released under open source BSD License. argoUML is not yet developed completely, still is in **O.xx** versions. As it is already available in market and used by many developers around the world, I am putting my reviews on this UML tool.

#### Pros / Features of argoUML

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- Written in Java, so runs in all the platforms where Java runs.
- Supports Code generation from the UML diagram / UML Diagram generation from the code.
- Currently supported languages are C , C#, Java and PHP.
- Ability to manage ToDo list.
- Export UML diagram into XMI / JPG / SVG / PS formats.

#### Cons of argoUML

- Not fully supports UML 2.0.
- Can't Undo! Developers of argoUML must be so optimistic that people (especially Software Developers) never do mistakes. ![:)][4]
- Written in Java, so run comparatively slower than starUML.
- Lack of formatting options.

After using these two UML modeling tools, **I recommend starUML** for any developer.

What is your opinion on these two UML tools? Are they capable of replacing Visio and Rational Rose? Are there any other Free / Open Source UML modeling tools that I am missing here? Please leave your thoughts in the [comments section][5].

[1]: https://veerasundar.com/blog/argouml-a-free-visio-counterpart "ArgoUML - a free Visio counterpart"
[2]: http://staruml.sourceforge.net/en/ "starUML - a free / Open source UML modeling tool"
[3]: http://argouml.tigris.org/ "argoUML - a free / open source, java based UML modeling tool"
[4]: https://veerasundar.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif
[5]: #comments


#argouml (1)