UML and OO design tool with Python support

[Paul McGuire]

I just found out that my favorite UML modeling tool, Enterprise Architect,
has just released a new version, *with* Python code support.  You can
download EA at http://www.sparxsystems.com.au.  It is not free, but I think
it is very reasonably priced for the features it provides (under $200 gives
you good UML graphical modeling, including sequence and class diagrams, with
code reverse engineering and round-tripping, vs. $000's for comparable
Rational environment).

Well, as it turns out, the Python support is still a bit buggy but I have
already gotten good mileage from this tool in other applications, most
notably reverse engineering C++ and C# code, so the Python additions are
icing on the cake.  But it is certainly another reassuring note, to see the
inclusion of Python support into this commercial software development tool.

I've already started to forward bug reports for some of the Python import
errors.  Perhaps if they get more feedback from other Python users, it will
help reinforce their opinion of Pythonistas as a valuable target market
segment.

-- Paul


Note: I am *not* an employee or in any way connected with the supplier of
this code, other than as a satistifed customer.

Note2: the Python support is not an obvious product feature.  It requires
installation of a separate (free) add-in, downloaded from the Sparxsystems
web site.  The add-in must be separately "add-in"ed to each project, too,
instead of just being a globally installed plug-in.  My first couple of
attempts failed at completely reverse engineering my pyparsing module,
although I did get a nice first-pass class inheritance diagram for PIL.  We
take what we can get...