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JavE VS PlantUML

Compare JavE VS PlantUML and see what are their differences

JavE logo JavE

JavE (Java Ascii Versatile Editor) is a free Ascii Editor.

PlantUML logo PlantUML

PlantUML is an open-source tool that uses simple textual descriptions to draw UML diagrams.
  • JavE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-03-11
  • PlantUML Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-22

JavE features and specs

  • Open Source
    JavE is open source, which allows users to access the source code, make modifications, and contribute to the software's development freely.
  • Platform Independence
    Being written in Java, JavE can run on multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, provided that Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is installed.
  • Ascii Art Creation
    JavE is specifically designed for creating ASCII art, providing users with tools and features specialized for this purpose.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it accessible for beginners while still providing enough functionality for advanced users.

Possible disadvantages of JavE

  • Java Dependency
    JavE requires a Java Runtime Environment to be installed on the user's machine, which may be an additional step if it's not already installed.
  • Limited to ASCII Art
    While JavE excels at ASCII art, it is not suitable for other types of graphic design or text-related artwork beyond this niche.
  • Outdated Interface
    The user interface and overall design may feel outdated compared to more modern software alternatives, which can be a drawback for users looking for contemporary aesthetics.
  • Community Size
    JavE has a relatively small user base, which can result in limited community support and fewer resources for troubleshooting or tutorials.

PlantUML features and specs

  • Simple Syntax
    PlantUML uses a plain text language that is easy to learn, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical users.
  • Quick Diagram Creation
    Due to its straightforward text-based syntax, diagrams can be created and modified quickly without the need for a graphical interface.
  • Version Control Friendly
    Diagrams are stored as text files, making them easy to manage with version control systems like Git.
  • Integrations
    PlantUML integrates well with many other tools and platforms including IDEs (e.g., IntelliJ, VSCode), documentation generators (e.g., Doxygen, Sphinx), and project management tools.
  • Wide Range of Diagrams
    PlantUML supports a variety of UML and non-UML diagrams, including sequence diagrams, use case diagrams, class diagrams, and more.
  • Open Source
    PlantUML is an open-source tool, which makes it free to use and allows for community contributions and extensions.

Possible disadvantages of PlantUML

  • Learning Curve
    While the syntax is simple, users unfamiliar with text-based diagramming may need time to become proficient.
  • No GUI
    PlantUML lacks a graphical user interface (GUI), which might be a disadvantage for users who prefer drag-and-drop diagram creation.
  • Complex Diagrams
    For very complex diagrams, the text-based syntax can become cumbersome and hard to manage.
  • Rendering Limitations
    The style and formatting options are less flexible compared to some dedicated graphical diagramming tools.
  • Performance
    For large diagrams, the text-to-diagram rendering process can be slow.
  • Security Concerns
    Using PlantUML with remote server options might raise security issues, particularly when dealing with sensitive information.

Analysis of PlantUML

Overall verdict

  • Yes, PlantUML is a good tool for developers and teams who need a straightforward and efficient way to create and manage diagrams within their projects. Its text-based approach allows for easy updates and maintenance, which is beneficial in agile and fast-paced development settings.

Why this product is good

  • PlantUML is appreciated for its simplicity and versatility in creating UML diagrams. It allows users to write diagrams using a concise text-based language, which can be easily integrated into code repositories for version control. This approach facilitates collaboration and documentation among developers. Moreover, it supports various diagram types beyond UML, such as sequence diagrams, class diagrams, and state diagrams, and can be integrated with other tools and editors, enhancing its utility across different environments.

Recommended for

  • Software developers
  • Technical architects
  • Project managers
  • Teams using agile methodologies
  • Educators teaching software design

JavE videos

Review Jave Legend+ | TANK | - Seven Knight 2 KR

More videos:

  • Review - Jave Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Magnetic Sports Earbuds Earphones Review
  • Review - Review Jave Legend+ Seven Knight 2 mmorpg

PlantUML videos

PlantUML - beautiful quick diagrams to explain your models

More videos:

  • Review - Folge16 - PlantUML und IntelliJ
  • Tutorial - PlantUML Gizmo Tutorial: Google Docs Add-on
  • Review - Mermaid vs PlantUML vs HackerDraw: Which One Is Best For You?
  • Review - Using PlantUML For Diagrams In A GitLab Wiki

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to JavE and PlantUML)
Diagrams
14 14%
86% 86
Flowcharts
10 10%
90% 90
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Flow Charts And Diagrams
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare JavE and PlantUML

JavE Reviews

We have no reviews of JavE yet.
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PlantUML Reviews

Top 7 diagrams as code tools for software architecture
PlantUML is a tool that allows you to write diagrams such as sequence, object, component, usecase, class diagrams and more.
5 great diagramming tools for enterprise and software architects
PlantUML is an open source tool and syntax that allows you to make sequence, use case, class, object, and other diagrams from code. It also supports non-UML diagrams like JSON and YAML. In addition, it enjoys support from ArchiMate, ERD, Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), and other common notation styles. Its simple, plain-text definitions make creating, sharing, and...
Source: www.redhat.com
Software Diagrams - Plant UML vs Mermaid
For C4 Models, Mermaid support is still experimental. This shows as you have little control over the way the diagram is rendered, and some parts are unreadable (i.e., arrows over nodes). PlantUML works as you would expect and has support for more advanced setup like sprites. Not even close on this one. Winner: PlantUML
9 Best UML Software For Mac & PC
PlantUML is another free open source sequence diagram software that uses text input to build UML charts. PlantUML requires using a specific PlantUML Language to construct sequence charts but once learned it’s very flexible.
Source: machow2.com
40 Open Source, Free and Top Unified Modeling Language (UML) Tools
PlantUML is a component that allows users to quickly write sequence diagrams, usecase diagrams, class diagrams, activity diagrams, component diagrams, state diagrams, deployment diagrams, object diagrams and wireframe graphical interfaces. Diagrams are defined using a simple and intuitive language. Images can be generated in PNG, SVG or LaTeX format and it is also possible...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, PlantUML seems to be a lot more popular than JavE. While we know about 12 links to PlantUML, we've tracked only 1 mention of JavE. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

JavE mentions (1)

  • specialized ASCII art programs?
    I use JAVE. It's not the best, but it's good for tracing pictures since it has a watermark feature. Source: about 4 years ago

PlantUML mentions (12)

  • Owning my own data, part 1: Integrating a self-hosted calendar solution
    That particular diagram seems to have been generated by https://plantuml.com according to the image's metadata. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Common Mistakes in Architecture Diagrams (2020)
    I have to confess I am guilty of this — I used to just draw some unstructured circles and arrows on a whiteboard and call it enough. Lately I've been trying to work my way through lots of different diagram types from https://plantuml.com/, and it does help to wrap my mind around the existing options. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • LLM + Mermaid: How Modern Teams Create UML Diagrams Without Lucidchart
    Today, tools like Mermaid and PlantUML have taken center stage, thanks to their ability to generate diagrams with text-based commands. Even better, AI-powered assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and GitHub Copilot have made generating diagrams even easier. These tools work directly within a developer's environment, creating diagrams that are version-controlled and integrated seamlessly into workflows. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Blockdiag – simple diagram images generator – blockdiag 1.0 documentation
    While inactive blockdiag was small and nice for automatically annotating documentation. As you can see it hasn't been maintained for a few years. https://github.com/blockdiag/blockdiag With complex diagrams, I find good old PlantUML diagrams more useful if not as initially pretty as mermaid. Plus it will output archimate without having to touch that UI https://plantuml.com/ But really it is horses for courses.... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Introduction to Haskell Diagrams
    Use a high-level language like Plant UML, D2, Graphviz which are good for the purpose they are designed for, but not for generic purpose diagramming. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing JavE and PlantUML, you can also consider the following products

PabloDraw - PabloDraw is an Ansi/Ascii text and RIPscrip vector graphic art editor/viewer with multi-user capabilities.

draw.io - Online diagramming application

yEd - yEd is a free desktop application to quickly create, import, edit, and automatically arrange diagrams. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix/Linux.

asciiflow - Infinite ASCII diagrams, save to Google Drive, resize, freeform draw, and export straight to text/html.

LucidChart - LucidChart is the missing link in online productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.

PathVisio - Open-source and free pathway analysis and pathway drawing software. Allows drawing, editing and analysis of biological pathways.