UML TOOL for Codeigniter Projects

[eluser]mambe churchill nanje[/eluser]
Well I have been using CI mostly on my personal projects and I was always doing the project plan on paper wherein it was easy while working with a local team. Now we have to work with teams in different geographic location hence we need to do proper modeling with use case daigrams and the class diagrams. I am looking for any tool that can help me do some UML diagrams with the MVC design pattern. I googled the internet and also googled this forum but maybe I was not good enough. so can you point me to any post or any links
thanks

[eluser]Randy Casburn[/eluser]
Enterprise Architect

I can help you and your team with this if you prefer. Specifically: http://randycasburn.com/requirements


Regards,

Randy

[eluser]Eric Cope[/eluser]
I recently saw a discussion on Slashdot regarding code documentation. Several posters felt that self documenting code was better than UML. This begs the question, what are your true needs? Can something else better meet those needs? I have seen some self documenting code (CI has it) that is pretty handy and easier to understand than some flow charts.

Just trying to think outside the box. It may or may not apply to you.

[eluser]Randy Casburn[/eluser]
I can point out one example that would be exposed in UML that gets asked about repeatedly here in the forums. Namely, the issue of controller multiplicity. CI is designed with a one-to-one controller to view and controller to model relationship unless it is overridden or extended. The code documentation does not expose that immediately without some study. A UML class modeled with multiplicity would and those folks that understand UML would immediately understand that they need to include/override/extend the controller/models/views appropriately to provide multiplicity.

But there in lies the rub. Many folks, perhaps some of those you were reading on slash . , don't really understand or know how to interpret UML fully/correctly. And then I would have to agree with you to some extent. There likely is a better way.

For those of us who understand it, it is quick, succinct and a great reference to the inter-relationships of complex systems.

I'm not pushing one way or the other really. I have seen the "how do I call a controller from a controller" question so many times I thought I would mention it here.

Randy

[eluser]Eric Cope[/eluser]
Can you make any recommendations regarding UML resources (books, web tutorials, etc)? It seems like a good tool, as long as it is applied properly (like all good tools).

[eluser]Randy Casburn[/eluser]
UML is big business so you'll find a lot of stuff out there. Most of it will be for sale or lead to something for sale.

The Object Management Group (OMG) is a consortium of companies that oversees the standardization of UML. So I'd recommend you read their overview of UML. http://www.omg.org/gettingstarted/what_is_uml.htm.If you spend too much time there you will get swamped and lost. So depart that site quickly ;-).

Next, there is this site with these very basic videos that are sort of slow and dry. Frankly, I haven't watched them, but from what I've seen they seem like they should be decent quality. In order to get rid of the annoying advert over the video there is a red 'X' near the top right of the advert you can click on and it will not obscure the videos. Theses can be found here: http://www.webdevnoobs.com/index.php/uml...orial.html

Finally, I do find the tutorials on the Sparx Systems web site to be quite good. You can find those here: http://www.sparxsystems.com/uml-tutorial.html

If you do get interested beyond curiosity, read about MDA technology. I'm currently working on using Enterprise Architect to build "MDA Transformations" of abstract models (generic models) built with UML. What this means is that I can take generic class structures that represent data needed by my CI application and have Enterprise Architecture write CI Model Classes for me in perfect PHP 5.x syntax. Then it builds perfect MySql, Oracle, MSSQL, etc. DDL generation scripts for the databases too.

Self documenting code is one thing...code generation is something altogether different. :coolsmile:

Randy

[eluser]Eric Cope[/eluser]
Are there any decent FOSS UML tools?

[eluser]Randy Casburn[/eluser]
So many folks get frustrated with crap that is 'free'. Then they go make a bunch of posts on slash . about how UML doesn't do anyone any favors. Just sayin'... The best 'almost free' modeling tools you have are paper and pencil.

There is no CI equivalent, as in 'free' but fabulous, UML modeler. I'm sorry, I've made my recommendation in my previous post.
===

Randy

[eluser]mambe churchill nanje[/eluser]
[quote author="Randy Casburn" date="1215569481"]Enterprise Architect

I can help you and your team with this if you prefer. Specifically: http://randycasburn.com/requirements


Regards,

Randy[/quote]
Randy
thanks for this answer, I actualy have Enterprise Architect and before making this post I was using Enterprise architect to draw the UMl. But when I was at the level of the Class Cases. I realised Enterprise Architect didnt support MVC. or maybe it does, can you please help on that.
thanks for everything

[eluser]Neophyte[/eluser]
In describing the general architecture and processes within systems i find the FMC approach to be one of the most friendly ive seen, they also supply stencils for a couple of modeling programs.

The Apache Modeling Project also on the site gives alot of nice examples of the FMC approach in use especially the Extending Apache: Apache Modules section.