Developers' Frequently Asked Questions
about Argo/UML v0.7

This file last updated April 25, 1999.

If you don't see the answer to your question, plesae email jrobbins at collab.net.

Q: Argo/UML will not run. What's wrong?

Argo/UML has worked for hundreds of people and it can work for you. The most common problems are:

  • Forgetting to unzip .zip files: e.g., argouml.zip, swing103.zip, enroll.zip.
  • Setting your CLASSPATH incorrectly. Make sure that you have the right drive letter, that you include .jar files rather than .zip files, and that you spell all directory names properly (several people new to swing have used "swing1.0.3" instead of the correct "swing-1.0.3"). You must include the full path to archive files (*.jar and classes.zip) in your CLASSPATH, including the directory where archive files are stored is not enough.
 
Q: Do you have a design document for Argo/UML?

Argo/UML consists of about 850 classes, so we cannot make one design diagram that sums up the whole thing. There are three major places to look for documentation:

  • This web site has several different kinds of documentation including code overviews, user interface overviews, and a developers' cookbook.
  • The UML Semantics Specification describes the standard UML meta-model, Argo/UML's meta-model conforms very closely to this document.
 
Q: How do I compile Argo/UML using GNU make on unix?
  • You will need a make utility that is compatable with GNU make.
  • Unzip argosrc.zip to get the argo source code files.
  • Edit the file Makefile.config to set the path to your working directory, several libraries, java compiler, and make utility.
  • cd into the directory above "uci"
  • Type "make"
 
Q: How do I compile Argo/UML using GNU make on windows?
  • You will need a make utility that is compatable with GNU make, and the bash shell. You can these for Windows at Cygnus Solutions.
  • Unzip argosrc.zip to get the argo source code files.
  • Edit the file Makefile.config to set the path to your working directory, several libraries, java compiler, and make utility. When specifying path names use the bash conventions (e.g., //c/jdk-1.1.7b/lib/classes.zip).
  • cd into the directory above "uci"
  • Type "make"
 
Q: How do I compile Argo/UML using Microsoft nmake on windows?
  • You will need Microsofts nmake utility that comes with MS development tools.
  • Unzip argosrc.zip to get the argo source code files.
  • Edit the file NMakefile.config to set the path to your working directory, several libraries, java compiler, and make utility. When specifying path names use the windows conventions (e.g., c:\jdk-1.1.7b\lib\classes.zip).
  • cd into the directory above "uci"
  • Type "nmake /nologo /f NMakefile"
 
Q: How do I compile Argo/UML on Windows using makeall.bat?
  • Unzip argosrc.zip to get the argo source code files.
  • Edit the file makeall.bat to set
    • COMPILER = the path to your java compiler, and
    • ARGO_HOME = the directory where you unzipped the sources, and
    • The proper locations for other library files
  • cd into the directory above the "uci" directory.
  • Type "makeall"
  • Using javac this process takes about 20 minutes; with sj or jikes it takes about 2 minutes. All times are on a 233 Mhz PC w/64 Mb RAM.
 
Q: How do I compile Argo/UML on Windows using an IDE (e.g. VisualCafe)?
  • Unzip argosrc.zip to get the argo source code files.
  • Make a new empty project and set the CLASSPATH as above. In VisualCafe this is under Project | Options.
  • Add all the Argo/UML source files to your project. One way to do this is to go directory by directory and add all files in each. A faster way to do it is to use the Windows Find utility to find all *.java files, then select them all (Control-A), then drag them into the VisualCafe Project window.
 
Q: How do I get access to the LATEST version of the Argo/UML sources?
  • First join the developers' discussion groups at www.egroups.com/group/argouml
  • We are working to set up a public CVS server that will allow read-only guest logins.
  • In the meantime, you can get a copy of CVS from www.cyclic.com.
 
Q: What part of the code should I read first?
Start by sending email to Jason Robbins to discuss the task you are interested in. Browsing the cookbook and other documentation will also help.
 
Q: When I compile there are "Cyclic inheritance" errors, why?
This is caused by a known JDK bug (bug parade #4043508). With certain Windows Java compilers this error appears on the first compile. Even though you get these errors, you may still be able to run. Compiling everything a second time should work without producing any of these errors.




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