The Need for a Modern UML and Diagram Engine (Part 1)
How It Started I am a backend software engineer, primarily working in the Java ecosystem. Most developers in my space know about PlantUML and have probably been using it for years—I certainly have. PlantUML has long been a go-to tool for developers who need a robust way to write UML diagrams as code. But let's face it: PlantUML is showing its age. As powerful as it is, PlantUML can feel slow, its…
The need for a modern UML and diagram engine became apparent as the author, a backend software engineer working primarily in the Java ecosystem, observed that PlantUML—despite its robustness—had aged. PlantUML's slow performance, outdated appearance, and limited interactive features prompted the emergence of alternatives such as Draw.io and Mermaid.js.
While Draw.io offers rich component sets and high customizability, its strengths lie in visual drag-and-drop rather than text-based versioning or quick code playback. Mermaid.js, on the other hand, brought text-to-diagramming to the modern web with its fast rendering, browser and IDE compatibility, accessible DSL, and integration with platforms like GitHub and Notion.
However, the author believed that a more modern, customizable, and tactile text-to-diagram engine was needed—an engine that was fast, easy to learn, visually sharp, and bridged the gap between raw code and visual canvas control. This led to the creation of DrakoFlow. The design philosophy behind DrakoFlow emphasized simplicity and intuitiveness in its syntax, ensuring that developers could quickly feel at home.
The DSL is inspired by JSON and CSS-like blocks, using familiar structural tokens like {, [ and :. Key features include extensible component blocks, fine-grained theme overrides, and nested scopes and containers. These design choices aim to make DrakoFlow a comprehensive visualization suite, with plans to expand further in the future.
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