2.5. General Diagram Tools: Dia, Kivio, Visio

There are a number of general diagramming programmes which include stencils for numerous types of diagram from computer networks to office layout. They typically also include stencils for UML. Programmes in this category include:

• Dia[dia] - a mature Free Software tool for Unix written for the GNOME desktop environment.

• Kivio[kivio] - part of the KOffice suit, a Free Software tool with proprietary stencils. It is buggy and unreliable to use.

• Visio[visio] - a proprietary tool for Windows by Microsoft.

The disadvantage of using these tools rather than a UML specific tool is the lack of enforcement of UML rules so sequence diagram objects can appear next to use cases for example. There is also no internal model so classes cannot appear in more than one diagram (or at least changes to a class in one diagram will not change its representation in any other diagram).