diagrams

[ggalan]

can anyone recommend a good software to draw and plan software/app diagrams?

[mburt]

Do you mean a flowchart used to organize software creation? I used a "paint" like program all the time for this (when structuring a program).

[traq]

if you are talking about making graphic mockups, you might try Inkscape. It's a vector graphics editor (similar to Illustrator), and it's available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. and, it's free.

[ggalan]

do you find it useful for OOP diagrams?

[traq]

you mean "flowchart"-like diagrams? sure. It's just a graphics editor, however. it won't be aware of the logic and relationships behind the chart.

I've used it to draw diagrams, but I wouldn't use it for planning. i use pencil and paper.

dedicated flowchart software exists, but I don't know enough to make any recommendations.

[djr33]

I've used flowchart software a bit and it's really annoying. At least I haven't found anything useful yet. I remember for one purpose I actually wrote a script in PHP to generate a chart because I couldn't find software that I liked. (I was also looking only for freeware at the time. Maybe some expensive software is good. I don't know.)

This may sound like an odd suggestion, but I'd highly recommend a pen and paper. When I'm stuck and really need to think things through I'll draw or write notes to work out the problems. It's not the most presentable for a client or coworker if that's your goal, but for my personal use it's the most helpful I think.
I also like to print out copies of code if I'm having a really hard time understanding it. I've modified forum software, for example, and I remember that when I was just starting and had no idea how the whole thing went together I printed out a number of pages of code and read through them that way.

[traq]

I also like to print out copies of code if I'm having a really hard time understanding it. I've modified forum software, for example, and I remember that when I was just starting and had no idea how the whole thing went together I printed out a number of pages of code and read through them that way.

yeah, me too. it's so much easier to find a particular bit of code on a printed page than to scroll up and down through 1000s of lines in a text editor.

pen & paper FTW!

[ggalan]

i also print out code and use colored markers for notes. for planning and communicating to other programmers i felt that i need to learn diagrams to workout structure but photoshop and illustrator takes too much time and pen and paper didnt have the drag drop that software offers. tried ms visio but again it didnt do the job i was looking for, will keep looking.

[mburt]

Just keep in mind that organization is key to success.

[mouseinhome]

Let try the newest version of Rational Rose one, maybe it's useful for you.