Desiging a new application, what tools do you use?

Question

Hi, Whenever I am desiging a new application, I tend to use paper and pencil to get an idea of the database structure, major modules and feature set etc.

I do own a copy of mind manager but I find that nothing beats the personal touch of pencil and paper. The negative aspect of this approach is I end up having 2-3 pages full of drawings/table-design/features list, and I don't have access to it when I am out of the office etc.

I am always looking to improve on toolset, what do you guys suggest?

(something other than say a Wiki, todo list type product)

Answer 1

I usually use a whiteboard so I can erase and write over that same place but I prefer writing for initial architecture; at least initially.

Answer 2

For getting an idea for a database structure, I use the incredibly simple tool aptly named the Database Design Tool (DDT).

Answer 3

A Tablet PC helps (instead of paper and pencil). Try InkSeine from Office Labs if you have a Tablet PC.

Make Lists of Ideas (I sometimes put them in a mind mapping tool like mindomo)

It helps to build boxes (visio is what I use here)

Answer 4

Try FreeMind. I actually like it a lot for getting my ideas into this box I call a computer. The other thing I would recommend is a white board and a Mimio. Not sure how much they are now but you should be able to pick one up relatively inexpensively on ebay. The old serial ones work fine.

Answer 5

I sit down with an idea, pen/pencil and paper, StarUML, GIMP, and OpenOffice. I use those tools until I have a somewhat decent plan to produce the thing I'm making.

Answer 6

I do it equal; with pencil and paper.

For the first idea I usually use a small one -about the size of one hand. It is usually enough for the basics. After that I'd like to have a whitebord - so I can edit for e.g. the UML diagram, drawings, ...

I think it isn't possible to this with a keyboard.

Answer 7

I use Microsoft OneNote on a Tablet. It works better than a pencil and paper, and because all of my notes are automatically synchronized between my machines I have my notes whenever I need them.

Plus I can easily keep them around (I have project notes from years ago) and search across them (including searching handwritten notes), which can be handy when I come across a problem that I know I've solved previously but can't remember exactly how or when.

Advantages of OneNote, beyond the above:

• You can edit them easily.
• You can email them.
• Transparent remote backup. Having suffered a fire this is bigger than it sounds to many.

Answer 8

For wireframing, I love the Visio stencils created by Garrett Dimon.

http://v1.garrettdimon.com/resources/templates-stencils-for-visio-omnigraffle

Answer 9

I use Visio

Answer 10

"Desiging" a new application? Well a spell checker is a good start ;-)

I tend to use a large notepad to sketch some architectures and then flesh that out a bit in http://staruml.sourceforge.net>StarUML. I often switch back and forth between the two though in an iterative cycle. I often prototype some bits in http://www.python.org>Python to get a feel for the feasibility of my ideas.