UML is like the software engineer’s version of a blueprint. Whether you want to share a new idea or document the current structure of a piece of software, knowing how to use and read UML is a valuable skill. In this guide, you’ll get all the UML basics you need to share and collaborate. Read on or jump ahead to one of the following sections: What is UML? UML Diagram Types and TemplatesBasic UML Diagramming TutorialUML Video TutorialsUML Diagramming Tools What is UML?UML stands for Unified Modeling Language, which is a set of visual standards that helps software developers and engineers “speak the same language” without digging into the actual code of their product. Diagramming with UML is a great way to help others quickly understand a complex idea or structure.Check out our blog for all the details on the origins and history of UML, why software engineers use UML diagrams and the benefits of UML diagramming, and common notations.