Architecture: My Passion in Life

Definition of the software architecture The architecture definition process seems fairly straightforward. All you have to do is figure out what the requirements are and design a system that satisfies them. But in reality it's not that simple and the software architecture role can vary wildly depending on how engaged you are and how seriously you view your role. As the following diagram shows, the architecture definition part of the role can be broken down further into a number of different elements. Management of non-functional requirements : Software projects often get caught up on asking users what features they want, but rarely ask them what non-functional requirements (or system qualities) they  need . Sometimes the stakeholders will tell us that "the system must be fast", but that's far too subjective. Non-functional requirements need to be specific, measurable, achievable and testable if we are going to satisfy them. Most of the non-functional re...

Are you a software architect? The line between software development and software architecture is a tricky one. Some people will tell you that it doesn't exist and that architecture is simply an extension of the design process undertaken by developers. Others will make out it's a massive gaping chasm that can only be crossed by lofty developers who believe you must always abstract your abstractions and not get bogged down by those pesky implementation details. As always, there's a pragmatic balance somewhere in the middle, but it does raise the interesting question of how you move from one to the other.  Read more... What should a hands-on software architect do? Becoming a software architect isn't something that simply happens overnight or with a promotion. It's a role, not a rank. It's an evolutionary process where you'll gradually gain the experience and confidence that you need to undertake the role. While the term "software developer" ...