8.1 PlantUML Diagram Reporting

Translating visual diagrams into structured, easy-to-read textual foundation reports.

In Visual Paradigm’s AI-powered platform, particularly through tools like the AI Use Case Diagram Report Generator and related AI apps in the Use Case Modeling Studio, PlantUML serves as a lightweight, text-based bridge between visual models and comprehensive documentation. This feature allows users to translate graphical UML diagrams (such as Use Case Diagrams) into PlantUML code, which is then analyzed by AI to produce structured, readable textual reports. These reports serve as a foundational, version-controllable artifact that captures diagram semantics in plain text, making them ideal for sharing in documentation, code repositories, reviews, or integration with tools like Markdown-based wikis, Confluence, or GitHub.

The process leverages PlantUML’s textual syntax to represent diagrams programmatically. Once a diagram is created or imported in Visual Paradigm, the platform can export or generate the corresponding PlantUML code. The AI Report Generator then processes this code to deliver an in-depth textual analysis, automating what would otherwise be manual documentation efforts.

Key Benefits

• Automation and Consistency — AI extracts and describes actors, use cases, relationships (include/extend/generalization), and overall structure without manual re-entry.
• Portability — PlantUML text is human-readable, editable, and renderable anywhere PlantUML is supported (e.g., online servers, IDE plugins).
• Foundation for Further Analysis — The generated report provides a clear textual baseline for deriving additional artifacts, such as refined specifications, test cases, or other diagram types.
• Collaboration — Text-based reports are lightweight and easy to version-control or share in non-visual formats.

Practical Example: ATM System Use Case Diagram

Consider a simple ATM system where you’ve already modeled a Use Case Diagram in Visual Paradigm’s AI Modeling Studio. The diagram includes:

• Actors: Customer, Bank System
• Use Cases: Withdraw Cash, Check Balance, Deposit Funds, Transfer Funds
• Relationships: “Withdraw Cash” includes “Authenticate User”; “Transfer Funds” extends “Check Balance”

After generating or refining the diagram, you export or input the PlantUML representation (either directly from the tool or via integrated export features). A typical PlantUML snippet for this might look like:

@startuml
actor Customer
actor "Bank System" as Bank

usecase "Withdraw Cash" as UC1
usecase "Check Balance" as UC2
usecase "Deposit Funds" as UC3
usecase "Transfer Funds" as UC4
usecase "Authenticate User" as UC5

Customer --> UC1
Customer --> UC2
Customer --> UC3
Customer --> UC4
UC1 ..> UC5 : <<include>>
UC4 ..> UC2 : <<extend>>
Bank --> UC5
@enduml

Using the AI PlantUML Use Case Diagram Report Generator (accessible via Visual Paradigm’s AI toolbox):

1. Paste or load the PlantUML code into the tool’s input pane.

2. The AI analyzes the code, identifying actors, use cases, and relationships.

3. It automatically generates a structured textual report, which might include sections such as:

   • Diagram Overview This Use Case Diagram models the core interactions of an ATM system, focusing on customer-initiated banking operations with external authentication support from the Bank System.

   • Actors Identified

     • Customer: Primary actor initiating banking transactions.
     • Bank System: Secondary actor handling backend authentication.

   • Use Cases Summary (in table format for clarity):

     Use Case	Description	Actors Involved
     Withdraw Cash	Allows withdrawal of funds after authentication	Customer, Bank System
     Check Balance	Displays current account balance	Customer
     Deposit Funds	Adds funds to the account	Customer
     Transfer Funds	Moves money between accounts, optionally after balance check	Customer
     Authenticate User	Validates user credentials (PIN/card)	Bank System

   • Relationships Analysis

     • Include: “Withdraw Cash” includes “Authenticate User” (mandatory shared behavior for secure access).
     • Extend: “Transfer Funds” extends “Check Balance” (optional precondition for sufficient funds verification).

   • Recommendations (AI-powered insights) Consider adding exception flows for insufficient funds or authentication failures. Potential for further refinement: Add <<generalization>> if specialized withdrawal types exist.

This textual report can then be copied into your project’s Software Design Document (SDD), exported as Markdown/PDF, or used as input for generating subsequent artifacts like test cases or refined diagrams. By translating visuals back to structured text, PlantUML reporting ensures your models remain traceable, maintainable, and accessible throughout the software lifecycle.