Topcoder.com chooses to write their own UML tool
Hello,
topcoder.com is a website that hosts various contests for software designers and developers. Topcoder seems to strive for rather high quality and therefore they also appreciate UML models for the software that will be developed in the course of a contest.
Until recently, they used Gentlewares Poseidon tool, partly because it had a free community edition so that no participant was forced to spend money just to participate in the contest. They have abandoned Poseidon now and have chosen to create their own UML tool. They do not really state their reasons for this decision, except that “this approach will allow us to develop a tool that is closely aligned with our members’ needs”.
When I read this, I thought “oh boy, please not another half hearted UML tool that nobody will ever use seriously”. To verify or disprove my bias I installed the tool in a Virtual Machine (so that I could delete it without any traces). My worst expectations have been fulfilled.
- The tool is written in plain Java, making it look ugly
- No reuse of existing software like the Eclipse Modeling Framework and/or the Graphical Editor Framework
- Non intuitive user interface (granted, this is a subjective statement)
- No online help, no documentation
Seems like a heavy case of Not Invented Here syndrome.
Best regards,
Andreas
Technorati Tags: Topcoder.com, UML tools
