Pros of PlantUML

• Simpler syntax for creating diagrams, making it easier for non-technical users
• Supports a wider variety of diagram types, including sequence, use case, and activity diagrams
• Extensive community support and integration with various tools and platforms

Cons of PlantUML

• Less flexibility in customizing diagram layouts and styles
• Limited programmatic generation of diagrams compared to Structurizr's code-based approach
• May require additional software or plugins for rendering diagrams in some environments

Code Comparison

PlantUML:

@startuml
class User {
  +name: String
  +email: String
}
@enduml

Structurizr:

Person user = model.addPerson("User", "A system user");
SoftwareSystem system = model.addSoftwareSystem("System", "Our software system");
user.uses(system, "Uses");

PlantUML uses a simple text-based syntax to define diagrams, while Structurizr employs a code-based approach using Java. This difference reflects the core philosophy of each tool: PlantUML focuses on quick, text-based diagram creation, while Structurizr emphasizes programmatic generation and integration with existing codebases.

Pros of Mermaid

• Browser-based rendering, no need for server-side processing
• Supports a wider variety of diagram types (e.g., Gantt charts, user journeys)
• Simpler syntax for creating diagrams, more accessible to non-developers

Cons of Mermaid

• Less powerful for complex software architecture modeling
• Limited customization options compared to Structurizr's DSL
• Lacks advanced features like workspace management and documentation generation

Code Comparison

Mermaid example:

graph TD
    A[Client] -->|HTTP Request| B[Load Balancer]
    B --> C[Server1]
    B --> D[Server2]

Structurizr example:

SoftwareSystem softwareSystem = model.addSoftwareSystem("Software System", "Description");
Container webApplication = softwareSystem.addContainer("Web Application", "Description", "Java and Spring MVC");
Container database = softwareSystem.addContainer("Database", "Description", "Oracle Database Schema");
webApplication.uses(database, "Reads from and writes to", "JDBC");

Mermaid offers a simpler syntax for basic diagrams, while Structurizr provides more detailed modeling capabilities for complex software architectures. Mermaid is better suited for quick, browser-rendered diagrams, whereas Structurizr excels in comprehensive system modeling and documentation.

Pros of d2

• Language-agnostic: d2 is a standalone diagramming tool that can be used with any programming language
• Simple, text-based syntax: Easy to learn and use for creating diagrams quickly
• Supports a wide range of diagram types, including sequence diagrams and entity-relationship diagrams

Cons of d2

• Less integration with code: Unlike Structurizr, d2 doesn't directly generate diagrams from code
• Limited customization options compared to Structurizr's extensive Java API

Code Comparison

d2 diagram syntax:

shape: sequence_diagram
alice -> bob: Hello
bob -> alice: Hi

Structurizr Java code:

Person user = model.addPerson("User", "A user of the system");
SoftwareSystem softwareSystem = model.addSoftwareSystem("Software System", "My software system");
user.uses(softwareSystem, "Uses");

Both approaches allow for creating diagrams, but Structurizr integrates more closely with Java code and provides a programmatic way to define architecture, while d2 uses a simpler, more generic syntax for diagram creation.

Pros of draw.io

• User-friendly graphical interface for creating diagrams
• Supports a wide variety of diagram types beyond software architecture
• Can be used online or as a desktop application

Cons of draw.io

• Less focused on software architecture specific diagrams
• Manual creation and updating of diagrams can be time-consuming

Code Comparison

draw.io is primarily a graphical tool, so there isn't much code to compare. However, Structurizr uses Java to define architecture:

Workspace workspace = new Workspace("Getting Started", "This is a model of my software system.");
Model model = workspace.getModel();

SoftwareSystem softwareSystem = model.addSoftwareSystem("Software System", "My software system.");
Person user = model.addPerson("User", "A user of my software system.");
user.uses(softwareSystem, "Uses");

Additional Considerations

Structurizr focuses on creating software architecture diagrams programmatically, which can be beneficial for maintaining consistency and automating diagram generation as part of a development workflow. draw.io, on the other hand, offers more flexibility for creating various types of diagrams but requires manual creation and updating.

The choice between these tools depends on specific needs: Structurizr for dedicated software architecture diagramming with code integration, or draw.io for general-purpose diagramming with a user-friendly interface.