Together (software)

Together (software)
Name	Together
Developer	Xojo, Inc.
Released	2001
Latest release	2020s
Operating system	macOS, Microsoft Windows
Genre	Software engineering, Project management software

Together (software) Together is an integrated modeling and design environment aimed at software architects, developers, and systems engineers. It provides support for modeling languages, collaboration, and code generation, enabling teams involved with projects like Eclipse-based toolchains, IBM Rational workflows, and Microsoft Visual Studio integrations to align design artifacts with implementation. Together connects to ecosystems including GitHub, Subversion, JIRA, Confluence, and Jenkins to streamline model-driven development for organizations such as NASA, Siemens, Oracle, and Accenture.

Overview

Together is positioned as a commercial modeling workbench used in conjunction with tools from IBM, Atlassian, Red Hat, and Microsoft. It supports practitioners who follow practices established by OMG standards committees, contributors to Eclipse Foundation projects, and teams adopting approaches advocated by Kent Beck, Martin Fowler, Uncle Bob, and Grady Booch. The product aims to bridge modeling and implementation for developers familiar with Java Platform, Standard Edition, C#, Enterprise JavaBeans, and CORBA-based architectures, as well as organizations deploying on platforms like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

Features

Together provides modeling capabilities compliant with standards from the Object Management Group and tools sought by enterprises using IBM WebSphere or Oracle WebLogic Server. Core features include visual modeling for Unified Modeling Language, round-trip engineering for Java, C++, and C#, code generation akin to frameworks such as Spring Framework and Hibernate, and reverse engineering for legacy systems like those integrated with SAP solutions. Collaboration features enable synchronization with issue trackers like JIRA and version control systems including Git, CVS, and Subversion, supporting continuous integration patterns promoted by Martin Fowler and Kent Beck.

Additional capabilities parallel research tools used at institutions like MIT, Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University for model analysis, and enterprise offerings from Siemens PLM and PTC for systems engineering. Reporting and documentation export match formats used by Microsoft Word, LaTeX, and PDF pipelines common in organizations such as NASA and ESA.

Architecture and Technology

Together is built on a modular architecture influenced by platforms such as Eclipse and NetBeans, with plug-in mechanisms reminiscent of OSGi-based frameworks and extension models used by JetBrains. The technology stack often targets runtimes like Java Virtual Machine and integrates with build systems such as Apache Maven and Apache Ant. Model persistence uses schemas comparable to XML Metadata Interchange and storage patterns found in Relational Database Management System deployments by Oracle Corporation or Microsoft SQL Server.

The tool inter-operates with modeling standards endorsed by OMG—for example, UML and SysML—and supports model transformations similar to approaches from the Model Driven Architecture initiative and tools like Acceleo and ATL. For continuous delivery workflows, Together connects with automation servers like Jenkins and configuration management used by Puppet and Ansible in environments managed by enterprises such as Facebook and Google.

History and Development

Together originated in the early 2000s amid a wave of modeling tools and CASE products competing with offerings from Rational Software and open platforms such as Eclipse Foundation projects. It evolved through releases to incorporate support for emerging languages and platforms, paralleling shifts led by figures like James Gosling for Java and Anders Hejlsberg for C#. Corporate stewardship and development practices reflected influences from organizations such as Borland, Rational, and later consolidation trends visible at IBM and Micro Focus. Over time, the product added integrations with widely used developer services including GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab while responding to standards from W3C and ISO where applicable.

Licensing and Distribution

Distribution models for Together have included commercial licensing and enterprise agreements similar to terms used by IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft for enterprise software. Licensing options have historically ranged from per-seat subscriptions to floating licenses managed with license servers akin to those deployed by Flexera or Sentinel solutions. Channels for procurement have included direct sales, value-added resellers similar to Accenture and Deloitte, and software marketplaces used by Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

Reception and Use Cases

Together has been adopted in industries where model-driven approaches are emphasized, such as aerospace contractors working with NASA programs, embedded systems teams at Siemens, and enterprise IT groups in banks like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs. Analysts from firms like Gartner and Forrester have compared Together to competitors including IBM Rational Rose, Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, and open-source alternatives in Eclipse ecosystems. Case studies highlight use in legacy modernization projects, safety-critical development aligned to standards such as DO-178C and ISO 26262, and enterprise architecture initiatives following frameworks like TOGAF.

Category:Software