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Which is the right download for the latest dot.exe that's compatible with the latest PlantUML?

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asked Oct 12, 2024 in Question / help by asuser (140 points)
edited Oct 13, 2024 by asuser

On the face of it, it appears that graphviz.org is much newer.
But... is the graphviz.org dot.exe compatible with PlantUML?

To better clarify my question:

The latest plantuml version (plantuml-1.2024.7.jar) includes a June 2020 dot version:

java -jar plantuml-1.2024.7.jar -testdot
Dot version: dot - graphviz version 2.44.1 (20200629.0846)
Installation seems OK. File generation OK

The latest graphviz from graphviz.org (directing the GRAPHVIZ_DOT environment variable to it):

GRAPHVIZ_DOT=C:\Graphviz-12.1.2-win64\bin\dot.exe

appears to work with PlantUML despite including a September 2024 dot version:

java -jar plantuml-1.2024.7.jar -testdot
Dot version: dot - graphviz version 12.1.2 (20240928.0832)
Installation seems OK. File generation OK


If so, why aren't the latest plantuml jars including a more recent version of dot.exe?

Thank you

1 Answer

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answered 23 hours ago by Number 6

Your observation is accurate: PlantUML is fully compatible with modern versions of Graphviz (such as Graphviz 12.x), yet the fallback binary bundled inside PlantUML JARs and hosted in the official graphviz_lite repository remains on older versions (Graphviz 2.44 / 6.0).

This discrepancy is deliberate and stems from four primary architectural and logistical reasons:

  1. The Overhead of Creating "Graphviz Lite"
  2. Layout Stability and Visual Consistency
  3. Decoupled Communication (IPC Protocol)
  4. Strategic Shift Toward Native Java Layout Engines
     

Recommendation

  • If everything renders correctly: The bundled version (2.44.1 / 6.0) is completely sufficient for standard UML/diagram generation.

  • If you want newer Graphviz features or faster rendering: Pointing GRAPHVIZ_DOT to Graphviz 12.x (as you tested) is the recommended and fully supported path for power users.

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