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    Swizec's articles in the "architecture" category

    I aim to write mindblowing emails with real insight into the career and skills of a modern software engineer. "Raw and honest from the heart!" as one reader described them.

    Below are 12 articles filed under architecture. Enjoy ❤️

    Avoid spooky action at a distance

    Shared state in programming isn't the enemy, it's unclear dependencies that tangle your code. Keep it clean with explicit state dependencies and strict access guidelines

    Finding modules in a Big Ball of Mud with ChatGPT

    Detangling a Big Ball of Mud is hard. You have to find domain boundaries where none exist. Looks like AI can help 🤩

    Followup answers to Forget complicated code, focus on the system

    Why are utility files bad? How do you recognize architectural complexity? What the hell is a transitive dependency?

    Forget complicated code, focus on the system

    Clean code matters, but it's the architectural complexity that truly impacts your productivity and bug count. Focus on simplifying the system, not just the code.

    Why taming architectural complexity is paramount

    Unravel the hidden costs of architectural complexity in software engineering and learn practical strategies to tackle it. Boost productivity, reduce defects, and improve staff retention with insights from an MIT PhD thesis.

    Two types of complexity and their impact

    Complicated code slows down junior devs, while complex systems impact senior devs more. Focus on managing system complexity & dependencies, not just simplifying code.

    You can't fix the wrong abstraction

    Unlock the secrets to combating architectural complexity in software development and learn to identify and fix the wrong abstraction. Boost productivity, reduce bugs, and retain more staff.

    A backend service nobody can grok

    a little case study from an upcoming book I'm writing with Manning about software rewrites

    Own the outcome, not the work

    Efficient problem-solving in engineering with a shift in perspective – focusing on user outcomes can lead to innovative solutions and change your approach to system design.

    Clever technical hackery can't solve the wrong design

    A simple change in perspective can help you overcome complex technical challenges and save time on future projects.

    What microservices are for

    Microservices are a pain in the ass. They turn every system into a byzantine mess of complexity. But this week ... they saved my butt.

    The Magic Function principle

    Write functions, mostly magic.

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