The Howdy Glossary

Umple is a programming language and tool created by Dr. Timothy C. Lethbridge and his team at the University of Ottawa in 2007. It enables developers to incorporate model-oriented programming features into Java, PHP, C++, and Ruby by allowing them to create models within the source code that depict class relationships, state machines, attributes, and associations. The Umple compiler then converts these extended source files into plain code suitable for compilation in the respective programming languages through a process known as forward engineering.

Umple functions by embedding models directly into the source code, which promotes consistency between software design and implementation phases. This integration allows developers to define various modeling constructs such as class relationships and state machines alongside traditional programming elements. The automatic generation of executable code from these embedded models via the Umple compiler streamlines software development by ensuring traceability and maintainability throughout the project lifecycle.

The tool stands out from competitors like MetaEdit+, Papyrus, and Enterprise Architect due to its unique approach of integrating modeling with coding practices directly within source files of popular languages like Java, PHP, C++, and Ruby. This approach simplifies model-driven programming while automating the translation process between design specifications and executable code. Such seamless integration fosters high maintainability and reduces discrepancies between architecture and implementation phases, offering significant advantages for software developers who seek streamlined development processes across various domains.