Dos Cursos de Processamento de Dados dos anos 80 à atual Ciência da Computação: uma avaliação sobre o uso da UML no polo recifense de tecnologia

Abstract

ccording to the book “Unified Method of Object-Oriented Software Development” by Grady Booch, James Rumbaugh, and Ivar Jacobson, the creation of UML officially began in October 1994 (Booch; Rumbaugh; Jacobson, 1999). Thus, it is a modeling language that has been consolidated for nearly three decades. Despite its longevity, UML remains part of the Pedagogical Course Projects (PPCs) of several higher education institutions, raising questions about its practical applicability considering ongoing transformations in the software development market. Its current use is influenced by the emergence of new development approaches, such as agile methodologies, low-code/no-code platforms, and the integration of artificial intelligence into workflows. Although considered outdated by some professionals, UML is still recognized for its usefulness in system representation and team communication. In this context, this article presents an analysis based on a structured questionnaire built in Google Forms and applied to educators and IT professionals. The goal is to investigate to what extent UML is still used in companies and whether the content taught in academia effectively supports practical software development. The results, presented through charts, highlight participants’ perceptions regarding the use of UML in professional settings. Ultimately, the study seeks to understand the current role of UML in Recife’s technology hub, whether curricular adjustments are needed, and whether other modeling approaches should be incorporated into academic programs.