The TextUML Toolkit is a UML authoring tool that uses a textual notation called TextUML. It focuses on code generation from UML models and is targeted towards developers. The toolkit generates code using code generation tools like Acceleo and supports importing and exporting models from other UML tools. Future plans include bundling Acceleo and addressing feedback for a 1.0 release in June.

1. TextUML Toolkit
Rafael Chaves - rafael@abstratt.com
copyright (c) 2006-2008 abstratt technologies
http://abstratt.com

2. UML Modes
● UML as sketch
– selective, incomplete
– communication/thinking tool
● UML as blueprint
– valid, complete models (structural viewpoint)
– good for partial code generation
● UML as programming language
– model describes structure and behavior
– model execution, “full” code generation

3. The TextUML Toolkit
● UML authoring tool
● textual notation (TextUML)
● IDE-like
● free (not OSS)
● focus on code generation (UML as blueprint)
– “class diagram” elements
– valid, detailed models
● target is developers, not BAs
● available on Windows, Linux* and Mac OS X**

5. Why a textual notation?
● productivity
– text editor vs. diagram editor
– details vs. big picture
● developer-oriented features:
– text editing, search and replace, diff'ing/patches,
history, auto-format, content assist*, hyperlinking*...
● UML as programming language
● it really does not matter...

6. TextUML Toolkit is UML-compliant
● Notation != language
● language specification defines:
– semantics
– syntax
● Types of compliance
– abstract syntax (representation)
– concrete syntax (notation)
● Notation is for users
● Representation is for tools

7. Compatibility and integration
● models based on Eclipse UML2 (UML 2.1)
● native compatibility
– commercial: Omondo EclipseUML, MyEclipse UML
– open source: Eclipse MDT UML2Tools, Topcased,
Papyrus UML
● import/export
– Rational UML products
– Borland Together
● reverse engineering

8. Code generation

9. Code generation tools
● UML2-compatible tools
– Obeo Acceleo
– openArchitectureWare (oAW)
– Eclipse JET
– Velocity*

10. Code generation strategy
● domain modeled using UML
● a template (set) for each kind of artifact (pojos,
Hibernate mapping file, value objects, ...)
● stereotypes and tagged values drive code
generation

11. Code generation demo

12. Plans
● M4 (April 27)
– bundling Acceleo
– ready for beta-testing (hint, hint)
● M5 (May 25)
– addressing community feedback
– ready for general consumption
● endgame (1.0 release in June 15)
– polishing and critical bug fixes
– documentation and examples

13. Beyond UML as blueprint

14. Thank you!
● visit http://abstratt.com (download, tutorial,
news, forum)
● feedback is really welcome
● beta-testers even more so

15. TextUML Toolkit
Rafael Chaves - rafael@abstratt.com
copyright (c) 2006-2008 abstratt technologies
http://abstratt.com