HyLiMo - A Textual DSL and Hybrid Editor for Efficient Modular Diagramming

Oct 29, 2026

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HyLiMo introduces a hybrid editor that combines textual and graphical diagramming with live synchronization to reduce the effort of creating precise layouts for scientific publications and technical documentation. Users can define diagrams textually and then adjust their layout visually while keeping the textual definition as the source of truth. Two case studies evaluating UML class diagram creation confirm practical usability, though feedback highlights feature requests for future development.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction and Goals

Method

Concept

Results

HyLiMo: A Textual DSL and Hybrid Editor for Efficient Modular Diagramming Niklas Krieger 1 Abstract: Diagramming with precise layouting for scientific publications and technical documentationsis time-consuming and cumbersome. Therefore, this work briefly presents HyLiMo, a tool for blended graphical and textual diagramming including live-synchronizing. This allows diagrammers to define diagrams textually and then adjust the layout graphically. An evaluation via two case studies confirmed the tool’s practicality in creating class diagrams with precise layouts. However, feedback suggests several features for future work. Keywords: Hybrid diagramming; Graphical-textual diagramming; UML class diagram Fig. 1: Web-based hybrid graphical-textual editor. Introduction and Goals: In Software Engineering, a variety of diagrams are used to create visual representations of systems, processes or concepts. In particular, UML class diagrams are a type of structural diagram used to model classes and their relationships in object-oriented systems. For diagramming, two main approaches exist: First, visual tools like diagrams.net and Visio allow graphically creating diagrams. Users place diagram elements on a canvas, creating the layout of the diagram manually. In contrast, tools like PlantUMLand Mermaid are used to create diagrams using a textual syntax. For most such tools, the diagrammar does not specify the layout, instead, elements are auto-layouted. Therefore, this approach is insufficient when manual and precise layouting is required, e.g., for scientific publications and technical documentation. While textual tools supporting manual layouting exist, in particular TikZ UML, defining positions textually can be cumbersome and timeconsuming. Hence, users benefit from graphical tools’ ability to directly drag diagram elements to the desired location. 1 University of Stuttgart , Institute of Software Engineering, [niklas.krieger@iste.uni-stuttgart.de](niklas.krieger@iste.uni-stuttgart.de) 􀀀􀀁􀀂 doi:10 . 18420/sw2024-ws_ 19 Hybrid graphical-textual approaches allow us to bridge this gap. Recent research in modeling introduces the blended modeling concept, which uses multiple notations, including textual and graphical, to manipulate an underlying model [Ci19] . Depending on the task, modelers choose the view most beneficial, thus improving efficiency. Our goal is to bring the benefits of hybrid graphical-textual modeling to diagramming. In particular, users should be able to define diagrams textually initially, but then modify the layout graphically. To achieve this, we envision a hybrid live-synchronized editor, with side-to-side textual and graphical views. Method: First, we collect and evaluate requirements with different stakeholders. Following, we worked out the concept in detail and created an architecture. After implementing the framework and editor, we evaluated the result in two case studies, as described in Results. After collecting initial requirements, to identify further requirements, we conducted expert interviews with 14 current and former software engineering researchers. Based on a survey, where 13 of them participated, we prioritised requirements, and finalized design decisions. Concept: Fig. 1 shows the hybrid editor2 created based on these requirements. It is split into two parts: On the left side, the diagram is defined using a textual notation. To improve flexibility and extensibility, we decided to incorporate programming language features, in particular custom functions and control flow constructs. Thus, we decided to implement our textual notation as an internal DSL in a custom general-purpose programming language, SyncScript. The textual notations serve as the single source of truth, including styling and layout information, allowing diagrammers to use tooling made for regular code, in particular version control to store and share diagrams easily. To give the user immediate feedback, textual and graphic

FAQs

What problem does HyLiMo address in diagramming?

HyLiMo addresses the time-consuming and cumbersome nature of creating diagrams with precise manual layouting, especially for scientific publications and technical documentation.

How does HyLiMo combine textual and graphical editing?

HyLiMo provides side-by-side textual and graphical views that are live-synchronized. Edits in the textual definition update the diagram when execution succeeds, while graphical interactions modify the layout.

What were the outcomes of the evaluation?

Two case studies showed the tool can produce UML class diagrams with precise layouting. Feedback also suggested several feature requests, such as PDF export.

Oct 29, 2026

Upload by 658056