Are there any Software Architects here?
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...and I don't (necessarily) mean you have the title of Software Architect. I believe many people are Architects -- because of what they do -- but do not have the title. Also, (unfortunately) many people have the title, but aren't actually Architects. Big Question So, if you are an Architect, what is it that you believe you do that a software developer doesn't do? CodeProject : Developer Heavy, Architect Light? I'm asking that as a question, not trying to rile anyone up. I notice a lot of codeslingers around here, but curious if CodeProject also attracts Software Architects. What do you think? Interesting Question What value do you think a Software Architect really brings? What skills do you expect from an Arthitect? Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured? Just curious about your thoughts.
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...and I don't (necessarily) mean you have the title of Software Architect. I believe many people are Architects -- because of what they do -- but do not have the title. Also, (unfortunately) many people have the title, but aren't actually Architects. Big Question So, if you are an Architect, what is it that you believe you do that a software developer doesn't do? CodeProject : Developer Heavy, Architect Light? I'm asking that as a question, not trying to rile anyone up. I notice a lot of codeslingers around here, but curious if CodeProject also attracts Software Architects. What do you think? Interesting Question What value do you think a Software Architect really brings? What skills do you expect from an Arthitect? Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured? Just curious about your thoughts.
I suspect that a Software Architect designes applications which bend in a high wind instead of breaking... ;)
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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I suspect that a Software Architect designes applications which bend in a high wind instead of breaking... ;)
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
TBH you're on the right track. Anyone who is really a software architect will be designing the system, but more often than not they will not be full on coding.
veni bibi saltavi
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...and I don't (necessarily) mean you have the title of Software Architect. I believe many people are Architects -- because of what they do -- but do not have the title. Also, (unfortunately) many people have the title, but aren't actually Architects. Big Question So, if you are an Architect, what is it that you believe you do that a software developer doesn't do? CodeProject : Developer Heavy, Architect Light? I'm asking that as a question, not trying to rile anyone up. I notice a lot of codeslingers around here, but curious if CodeProject also attracts Software Architects. What do you think? Interesting Question What value do you think a Software Architect really brings? What skills do you expect from an Arthitect? Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured? Just curious about your thoughts.
Well interesting Question, i personally can't differ the both but by architects do the design on an abstract basis to get a view of the whole system, sw-devolepers mostly focus on the single modules. But as far as i got into that, by designing, programming, developing my very own project management application for my company i think i did everything on both sides. :) That means i made graphs of how modules work together, how single modules are set up and what they can do, programmed it, reworked it, tested it.
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I suspect that a Software Architect designes applications which bend in a high wind instead of breaking... ;)
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
That's a very Zen answer. :) Bend, Grasshopper. Do not break. :)
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...and I don't (necessarily) mean you have the title of Software Architect. I believe many people are Architects -- because of what they do -- but do not have the title. Also, (unfortunately) many people have the title, but aren't actually Architects. Big Question So, if you are an Architect, what is it that you believe you do that a software developer doesn't do? CodeProject : Developer Heavy, Architect Light? I'm asking that as a question, not trying to rile anyone up. I notice a lot of codeslingers around here, but curious if CodeProject also attracts Software Architects. What do you think? Interesting Question What value do you think a Software Architect really brings? What skills do you expect from an Arthitect? Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured? Just curious about your thoughts.
I do it all from end-to-end. My title is Systems Architect, but that's because when I was hired I was put in a group of actual Systems Architects -- who architect the network, storage, and computing infrastructure for the enterprise.
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...and I don't (necessarily) mean you have the title of Software Architect. I believe many people are Architects -- because of what they do -- but do not have the title. Also, (unfortunately) many people have the title, but aren't actually Architects. Big Question So, if you are an Architect, what is it that you believe you do that a software developer doesn't do? CodeProject : Developer Heavy, Architect Light? I'm asking that as a question, not trying to rile anyone up. I notice a lot of codeslingers around here, but curious if CodeProject also attracts Software Architects. What do you think? Interesting Question What value do you think a Software Architect really brings? What skills do you expect from an Arthitect? Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured? Just curious about your thoughts.
Architects design systems that they think just takes bricklayers (programmers) to build, whereas, in fact the programmers need to be structural engineers to build safe and robust systems from the architect's plans, as architects have little knowledge of how things actually work in the real world.
========================================================= I'm an optoholic - my glass is always half full of vodka. =========================================================
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Architects design systems that they think just takes bricklayers (programmers) to build, whereas, in fact the programmers need to be structural engineers to build safe and robust systems from the architect's plans, as architects have little knowledge of how things actually work in the real world.
========================================================= I'm an optoholic - my glass is always half full of vodka. =========================================================
Chris Quinn wrote:
Architects design systems that they think just takes bricklayers (programmers) to build, whereas, in fact the programmers need to be structural engineers to build safe and robust systems from the architect's plans, as architects have little knowledge of how things actually work in the real world.
I am hearing the subtle humor in this as I've experienced that exact same thing. So much truth in that and that is the discussion I'm really talking about. Great input. Thanks.
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I do it all from end-to-end. My title is Systems Architect, but that's because when I was hired I was put in a group of actual Systems Architects -- who architect the network, storage, and computing infrastructure for the enterprise.
PIEBALDconsult wrote:
hired I was put in a group of actual Systems Architects
I've seen that happen numerous times also. And I also understand that since you honestly do it all end-to-end that you really are a true Architect. It's an interesting thing to attempt to measure and explain.
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Well interesting Question, i personally can't differ the both but by architects do the design on an abstract basis to get a view of the whole system, sw-devolepers mostly focus on the single modules. But as far as i got into that, by designing, programming, developing my very own project management application for my company i think i did everything on both sides. :) That means i made graphs of how modules work together, how single modules are set up and what they can do, programmed it, reworked it, tested it.
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HobbyProggy wrote:
That means i made graphs of how modules work together...
I believe what you are really saying here is that you communicated how the system would work at an abstract level -- and then you developed the specific pieces to build the actual system. This is the interesting thing about an SA that really should come out: The SA must be able to communicate what s/he is going to do, how s/he going to do it and why s/he is going to do it so every role within the company understands at the time. Then the SA must be able to write the code that does what s/he said it would do.
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...and I don't (necessarily) mean you have the title of Software Architect. I believe many people are Architects -- because of what they do -- but do not have the title. Also, (unfortunately) many people have the title, but aren't actually Architects. Big Question So, if you are an Architect, what is it that you believe you do that a software developer doesn't do? CodeProject : Developer Heavy, Architect Light? I'm asking that as a question, not trying to rile anyone up. I notice a lot of codeslingers around here, but curious if CodeProject also attracts Software Architects. What do you think? Interesting Question What value do you think a Software Architect really brings? What skills do you expect from an Arthitect? Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured? Just curious about your thoughts.
Simply put, an architect is expected to have both wide and deep knowledge that spans operating systems. An architect should be able to provide effective guidance for hard problems such as software security, scalability and reliability. Architects are also expected to be aware of technical directions being taken by vendors who provide software infrastructure and tools, such as MS, Google, Oracle, etc. And of course, an architect should be an experienced developer. /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
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Simply put, an architect is expected to have both wide and deep knowledge that spans operating systems. An architect should be able to provide effective guidance for hard problems such as software security, scalability and reliability. Architects are also expected to be aware of technical directions being taken by vendors who provide software infrastructure and tools, such as MS, Google, Oracle, etc. And of course, an architect should be an experienced developer. /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
Ravi Bhavnani wrote:
And of course, an architect should be an experienced developer.
I like the definition you provide and especially that you added that last part about the SA (Software Architect) being an experienced dev. It's so important but we've all experienced someone who has Architect in their title but who is definitely missing the development experience. IT can be quite terrible. I find the difficulty that many here are having explaining what an Architect does/is interesting bec. then how do you prove Architect abilities to a prospective employer. Thanks for your great input.
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...and I don't (necessarily) mean you have the title of Software Architect. I believe many people are Architects -- because of what they do -- but do not have the title. Also, (unfortunately) many people have the title, but aren't actually Architects. Big Question So, if you are an Architect, what is it that you believe you do that a software developer doesn't do? CodeProject : Developer Heavy, Architect Light? I'm asking that as a question, not trying to rile anyone up. I notice a lot of codeslingers around here, but curious if CodeProject also attracts Software Architects. What do you think? Interesting Question What value do you think a Software Architect really brings? What skills do you expect from an Arthitect? Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured? Just curious about your thoughts.
newton.saber wrote:
What value do you think a Software Architect really brings?
Shorter development time.
newton.saber wrote:
What skills do you expect from an Arthitect?
Mostly knowledge on different software-architectures. I'd also expect him/her to be able to explain the SOLID principles.
newton.saber wrote:
Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured?
No. So, how do you recognize one? Well, that's a problem for the headhunters - and given the effort they put in it, I'd suggest "simply ask" :)
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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HobbyProggy wrote:
That means i made graphs of how modules work together...
I believe what you are really saying here is that you communicated how the system would work at an abstract level -- and then you developed the specific pieces to build the actual system. This is the interesting thing about an SA that really should come out: The SA must be able to communicate what s/he is going to do, how s/he going to do it and why s/he is going to do it so every role within the company understands at the time. Then the SA must be able to write the code that does what s/he said it would do.
Exactly
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Ravi Bhavnani wrote:
And of course, an architect should be an experienced developer.
I like the definition you provide and especially that you added that last part about the SA (Software Architect) being an experienced dev. It's so important but we've all experienced someone who has Architect in their title but who is definitely missing the development experience. IT can be quite terrible. I find the difficulty that many here are having explaining what an Architect does/is interesting bec. then how do you prove Architect abilities to a prospective employer. Thanks for your great input.
newton.saber wrote:
someone who has Architect in their title but who is definitely missing the development experience.
IMHO, that makes no sense at all.
newton.saber wrote:
how do you prove Architect abilities to a prospective employer.
By describing detailed solutions you came up with to non-trivial problems such as security, scalability, integration, reliability, etc. If all you've done is written a lot of code but have never had to address these kinds of issues, you would be considered to be an experienced developer (which is good), but not an architect. At least that's how it works in my company. You might find this[^] classic interesting. /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
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newton.saber wrote:
What value do you think a Software Architect really brings?
Shorter development time.
newton.saber wrote:
What skills do you expect from an Arthitect?
Mostly knowledge on different software-architectures. I'd also expect him/her to be able to explain the SOLID principles.
newton.saber wrote:
Can the value a Software Architect adds be put into words / definitively measured?
No. So, how do you recognize one? Well, that's a problem for the headhunters - and given the effort they put in it, I'd suggest "simply ask" :)
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
Eddy Vluggen wrote:
able to explain the SOLID principles
100% agree. At least that's a start at some kind of metric. Great input. Thanks.
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Ravi Bhavnani wrote:
And of course, an architect should be an experienced developer.
I like the definition you provide and especially that you added that last part about the SA (Software Architect) being an experienced dev. It's so important but we've all experienced someone who has Architect in their title but who is definitely missing the development experience. IT can be quite terrible. I find the difficulty that many here are having explaining what an Architect does/is interesting bec. then how do you prove Architect abilities to a prospective employer. Thanks for your great input.
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Eddy Vluggen wrote:
able to explain the SOLID principles
100% agree. At least that's a start at some kind of metric. Great input. Thanks.
I don't think you need to be an architect to know that. Any developer worth his/her salt should be able to explain that. :) /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
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newton.saber wrote:
someone who has Architect in their title but who is definitely missing the development experience.
IMHO, that makes no sense at all.
newton.saber wrote:
how do you prove Architect abilities to a prospective employer.
By describing detailed solutions you came up with to non-trivial problems such as security, scalability, integration, reliability, etc. If all you've done is written a lot of code but have never had to address these kinds of issues, you would be considered to be an experienced developer (which is good), but not an architect. At least that's how it works in my company. You might find this[^] classic interesting. /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
I agree with you. Someone who is an Arhitect but doesn't really have the development chops to back it up isn't an Architect at all. Also, I've read that book, 97 Things Every Software Architect Should Know[^] Not a bad read because it's from so many viewpoints.
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I don't think you need to be an architect to know that. Any developer worth his/her salt should be able to explain that. :) /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
Ravi Bhavnani wrote:
Any developer worth his/her salt should be able to explain that.
Agreed. However, it is amazing how few Architects even truly understand them. And by Architect I mean the ones with the titles who aren't Architects. :)
