Visio for rapid code development (UML)?

[Curtis Justus]

Hi,

I'm involved in the early part of a big-time project with a number of
developers. In the past, we have used Visio and UML to model our classes
and then used the code generator to spit out the code. There were mixed
feelings about using it.

I guess my question is how many people use Visio to generate the simple
object classes? Is this something you would recommend, or is there
something different you would suggest? If worse comes to worst, the
developers could just enter the code in by hand... ;-)

Also, I'm looking at possibly purchasing a book titled Enterprise
Development with Visual Studio .NET, UML and Msf. Does anybody have any
opinions about it?

Thanks in advance,
cj

 

[Ahmed Qurashi]

For generating skeleton code, I like it. Especially if you are adhering to
UML. Sometimes when a module you are working on is found to be flawed, you
have to go back and re-architect the entire object heirarchy. I've used
Visio for quick prototyping in those instances.

I think if you are incorporating it into your workflow, for example where a
senior architect will use it to generate skeleton code for the engineers who
will "fill in the blanks", its just crucial to keep the channels of
communication flowing. There is also a Timeline feature that may be useful
for tracking milestones and project management. Plus it looks good on a
slide!

So I think the possibility is there to be enormously productive, but when
you move past UML into your own custom schematics I think the usefulness of
the generator sort of plummets.

I've never tried it but I've heard Rational XDE may be more extensible,
after all, I guess they invented the UML

ok,
aq