Application Architecture
Top Stories
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Tip
30 Jul 2026
Automated testing is not a magic bullet
Test automation rarely serves as a shortcut to faster testing. Its greatest value lies in improving software quality, expanding coverage and enabling testers to focus on high-value work. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jul 2026
Rethink how you screen senior developers to produce better mentors
Traditional coding tests often miss the qualities that matter most in senior developers. Explore a hiring approach focused on code review, mentoring and practical problem solving. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jul 2026
When should you adopt the forward-deployed model?
Explore the forward-deployed engineer role, its origins, core responsibilities and why the forward-deployed engineering model is becoming essential for AI deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jun 2026
My experience rejuvenating CI/CD infrastructure with AI
AI assistants can help DevOps teams modernize legacy Jenkins environments faster by auditing pipelines, surfacing risks and guiding migration planning. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 May 2026
Multi-agent architectures: How coordinated AI systems scale
Enterprise teams are moving from ad hoc coding agents to coordinated multi-agent systems with standardized skills, orchestration and real runtime validation. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Apr 2026
The case for Kubernetes
Manual provisioning and legacy tooling struggle at scale. Kubernetes adds self-healing, autoscaling and unified observability to reduce downtime and operational risk. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2026
From chaos to control: Multi-cloud development strategies
Multi-cloud environments often create fragmentation and risk. A platform-centric model with automation and visibility helps IT teams simplify operations. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Apr 2026
What seeing AI as normal technology means for IT leaders
Viewing AI as a "normal" technology enables IT leaders to apply proven governance, integration and risk strategies. It removes the hype to drive real business outcomes. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Apr 2026
Treat open source software as critical infrastructure
Open source underpins enterprise systems, but weak funding and maintainer strain threaten stability. IT leaders must assess project health, not just security, to reduce risk. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Apr 2026
KubeCon EU 2026: Infrastructure catches up to AI
AI is reshaping infrastructure demands. At KubeCon EU 2026, vendors focused on Kubernetes abstraction, GPU management and automation to move AI from pilot to production. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Mar 2026
Build a microservice with Quarkus in 15 minutes
This hands-on Quarkus tutorial walks through building a reactive product catalog microservice with PostgreSQL, CRUD APIs, testing and fast deployment. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Feb 2026
3 reasons to treat accessibility as an investment, not a cost
Building in accessibility can expand your audience, boost SEO rankings and reduce ADA legal risk -- saving money compared to costly retrofits later. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Feb 2026
Challenges of implementing SaaS successfully
Explore five complex SaaS implementation risks -- including data integration, customization, vendor lock-in and change management -- and how to mitigate them early. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2026
Privacy, compliance and governance are changing development
Regulation now drives software architecture. See how privacy engineering, policy-as-code and region-aware cloud design turn compliance into a scalable advantage. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Feb 2026
How to plan and execute a SaaS implementation
Learn how to plan and manage a SaaS implementation, including delivery models, requirements, data migration, testing, risk management and change readiness. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Feb 2026
Memory-safe languages: Pursuing secure, sustainable software
Learn how memory-safe languages prevent vulnerabilities by enforcing safe memory use at design time, helping IT leaders modernize platforms and reduce risk. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Sep 2025
What is a REST API? Benefits, Uses, Examples
A REST API is an architectural style for an application programming interface that uses Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) requests to access and use data. Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2025
Google adds Gemini CLI for GitHub Actions coding agent
The beta version of Google Gemini CLI for GitHub Actions starts simple and builds in security, but overall, the 'honeymoon phase' for coding agents might be ending. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Jun 2025
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a text file carrying some information that a website places on a user's computer. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2025
Comparing low-code vs. traditional development
The lines between low-code and traditional development aren't always clear. Compare the pros and cons of each approach to judge which makes sense for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Apr 2025
16 REST API design best practices and guidelines
Common guidelines for API design lead to better functionality and flexibility. Follow these REST API design best practices to help you tend to your burgeoning API garden. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2025
Low code vs. BPM: Differences and similarities
Low-code development and business process management help digitize and optimize business operations. Learn how each works and how together they enable digital transformation. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Apr 2025
Explore these 7 popular API gateway tools
Plenty of vendors have jumped on the API gateway trend, which can make it difficult to choose the right one for you. We examine the key features of seven popular gateway tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2025
13 API security best practices to protect your business
APIs are the backbone of most modern applications, and companies must build in API security from the start. Follow these guidelines to design, deploy and protect your APIs. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Dec 2024
What are the types of APIs and their differences?
Enterprises increasingly rely on APIs to interact with customers and partners. It all starts with knowing which type of API is right for your needs. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Dec 2024
What is a test case?
A test case is a set of actions performed on a system to determine if it satisfies software requirements and functions correctly. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Sep 2024
What is a PERT chart? And how to use it, with examples
A PERT chart, sometimes called a PERT diagram, is a project management tool used to schedule, organize and coordinate tasks in a project. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Aug 2024
What is static application security testing (SAST)?
Static application security testing (SAST) is the process of analyzing and testing application source code for security vulnerabilities. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Aug 2024
What is dynamic application security testing (DAST)?
Dynamic application security testing (DAST) is the process of analyzing a web application in runtime to identify security vulnerabilities or weaknesses. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jul 2024
What is no-code? Everything you need to know
No-code is a software development approach that requires few, if any, programming skills to quickly build an application, website or module that links into an existing system. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Mar 2024
low-code and no-code development platforms
Low-code/no-code development platforms are software development tools and environments that allow enterprise developers and citizen developers to create new applications using drag-and-drop components, linking them together and creating mobile or web apps. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jan 2024
API management
API management is the process by which an organization creates, oversees and controls application programming interfaces (APIs) in a secure, scalable environment. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Jan 2024
API lifecycle management
API lifecycle management is a part of application programming interface management that supports the design, development and maintenance of APIs, including their transitioning from design and testing to a production environment. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Dec 2023
citizen development
Citizen development is a business process that encourages non-IT-trained employees to become software developers, using IT-sanctioned low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms to create business applications. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Oct 2023
API economy
The API economy refers to the set of business models and practices designed around the use of application programming interfaces (APIs) in today's digital economy. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2023
New AWS service targets data security, genAI feature to come
The cloud provider's new service helps employees within organizations be more productive while securing their work. The vendor will add a generative AI feature in the future. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jun 2023
Microservices vs. headless architecture: A brief breakdown
Microservices and headless architectures are both techniques capable of providing flexibility and modularity, but how do you make a wise choice between them? Continue Reading
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Definition
22 May 2023
API security
Application program interface (API) security refers to policies and procedures that protect APIs against malicious attacks and vulnerabilities. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2023
GitHub 2FA plan adds SMS, account lockout safeguards
GitHub has added SMS support and fresh account lockout prevention features to its phased rollout plans as it prepares to implement a 2FA requirement for accounts beginning Monday. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Mar 2023
smoke testing
Smoke testing, also called build verification testing or confidence testing, is a software testing method that is used to determine if a new software build is ready for the next testing phase. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jan 2023
Rust vs. Go: A microservices-based language faceoff
Rust and Go both offer language features geared toward microservices-based development, but their relative capabilities make them a better fit for some scenarios than others. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Dec 2022
Creative AI, FinOps among hot developer trends of 2023
Here's a look at the hottest trends for application developers in 2023. Keep an eye out for decentralization, FinOps, consolidation and AI. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2022
Diffblue expands AI-powered unit testing platform
Diffblue Cover is gaining traction amidst a trend toward AI-augmented testing, say industry analysts. Cover can now run a suite of unit tests without developer intervention. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Nov 2022
user story
A user story is a tool in Agile software development used to capture a description of a software feature from a user's perspective. The user story describes the type of user, what they want and why. A user story helps to create a simplified description of a requirement. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Oct 2022
Why contract testing can be essential for microservices
Developers face numerous struggles trying to perform traditional, end-to-end integration testing on microservices. Contract testing presents a potential alternative. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Oct 2022
Fixing software developer burnout could increase retention
Software developer burnout is a pervasive issue that can cause problems for companies and their employees, but tackling it won't be easy. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Oct 2022
HubSpot DEI program shores up software engineer shortage
HubSpot has been building its DEI program for years, which includes in its hiring practices. By focusing on a more diverse talent pool, the company has found it can better manage the software engineer shortage. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2022
CodeSee brings code mapping tool to enterprise developers
CodeSee, which maps code for the entire development pipeline, fills a market need for simplification in the face of growing complexity, according to one analyst. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2022
Intel's Wei Li on low-code/no-code AI and sentience
Wei Li, Intel's vice president and general manager of AI and analytics, outlines how low-code/no-code AI can help developers and chimes in on the sentient AI debate. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2022
Front-end build tool Vite.js speeds up development
JavaScript development server and bundler Vite.js brings multiple enhancements with the release of Vite 3.0. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2022
Tabnine code completion platform adds more powerful AI
Tabnine's code completion assistant adds support for 11 languages with a major AI overhaul. Continue Reading
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News
02 Jun 2022
Project Volterra could encourage switch to Arm-based PCs
Project Volterra, due out later this year, is an Arm-based PC geared up for AI development. The energy-efficient, faster device might enable Microsoft to catch up with Apple. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Feb 2022
Resource Description Framework (RDF)
The Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a general framework for representing interconnected data on the web. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Feb 2022
artifact (software development)
An artifact is a byproduct of software development that helps describe the architecture, design and function of software. Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2021
MuleSoft to add API management, governance tools
MuleSoft plans to release tools to catalog and manage APIs across multi-cloud environments to reduce redundancy, apply governance policies and build compliance. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Nov 2021
Gantt chart
A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart developed as a production control tool in 1917 by Henry L. Gantt, an American engineer and social scientist. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Nov 2021
program
In computing, a program is a specific set of ordered operations for a computer to perform. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2021
8 fundamental microservices security best practices
Despite the benefits, microservices will introduce profound security issues. We review the biggest microservices security challenges and eight strategies used to combat them. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2021
Microservices vs. SOA: Choose the right app architecture
This primer explains the ins and outs of a microservices vs. SOA architecture: when and where to use either one, and how both are evolving, thanks to containers. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2021
How microservices and containers work, apart and together
Microservices and containers are two methods that enable companies to more efficiently create and deliver applications. Here's how they work -- and when they're best used together. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2021
Microservices vs. APIs: How they differ and work together
Enterprises still rely on monolithic systems, but apps increasingly require speed, scale and flexibility. Here's how microservices and APIs achieve that, separately and together. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jun 2021
Sole Black VMware principal engineer aims to diversify tech
VMware's only Black principal engineer talks about his rise in the cloud-native world, how to bring in a new generation of minorities and the future of technology. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2021
A closer look at 6 popular low-code development platforms
Low-code development tools help organizations accomplish tasks from simple forms and web sites to app integrations and BPM. Here's a closer look at six of the top low-code tools. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Mar 2021
Fight microservices complexity with low-code development
Software developers are in a constant battle with complexity. Microservices hold promise as ready-to-assemble app components, but low-code development might be a better approach. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Mar 2021
Review these 9 low-code use cases and industry examples
Don't get hung up on the basics of low-code and your development teams' makeup. Evaluate the following use cases to see if low-code makes sense for your project goals. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Mar 2021
What is the future of low-code app development?
Experts see more enterprises embracing low-code to rapidly develop apps and empower nonprogrammers -- but there are plenty of reasons to keep using traditional development as well. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Mar 2021
Get to know 4 microservices versioning techniques
Are you struggling to apply updates consistently across distributed services? Here are four microservices versioning techniques that can help. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2021
How low-code development accelerates digital transformation
Enterprises that don't embrace digital transformation invite competitors to carve up their business. Here's how low-code development can help a business become digitally adept. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Feb 2021
10 microservices patterns all architects should know
Choosing the right design pattern is a critical part of managing a microservices-based architecture. Here are 10 distributed design approaches that all architects should know. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Feb 2021
Guide to building an enterprise API strategy
In today's digital world, businesses increasingly rely on APIs to deliver data and services. Follow this comprehensive guide to build a successful enterprise API strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Feb 2021
The basics of monitoring and observability in microservices
We examine how monitoring and observability help development teams keep a distributed architecture from coming unraveled by individual failures and performance bottlenecks. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2021
API testing checklist and best practices
Proper API testing isn't just determining if an endpoint is functional. Follow these steps to identify your organization's important APIs, which tests to run, and which tools to use. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Nov 2020
How to master microservices data architecture design
Microservices have data management needs unlike any other application architecture today. You'll need the right set of knowledge, mechanisms and design principles to succeed. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2020
Microservices logging best practices every team should know
Creating a log system for distributed microservices is a task much easier said than done. Joydip Kanjilal offers a few best practices to shore up microservices logging processes. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Oct 2020
Understanding the modular monolith and its ideal use cases
While it isn't always the right fit, a modular monolith can often provide a happy medium between the simplicity of a traditional monolith and the complexity of microservices. Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2020
Ardoq architecture tool adds new Scenarios planning module
The new Scenarios module in Ardoq's enterprise architecture tool enables customers to model and analyze potential future states in a collaborative way. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Aug 2020
Explore 10 popular open source development tools
Whether you're writing, managing, building or deploying source code, there is an open source development tool to help do the job. Check out these quick tool intros to get you started. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2020
How to work with custom low-code application components
No- and low-code development platforms meet more enterprise app needs when they're customized. However, custom work can mean just as much programming as before you bought the tool. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jul 2020
4 must-have API management components
APIs don't manage themselves. Get to know these key API management components to ensure your applications perform as intended. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jun 2020
5 major reasons to adopt an API management platform
Why adopt an API management platform? Examine when it makes sense to adopt a platform, and five major ways they can actually assist your DevOps teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2020
Get started with API versioning and URIs
Applications change, and the APIs they depend on need to be updated and upgraded accordingly. Developers who know the value of versioning and the basics of numbering improve APIs. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 May 2020
Explore API documentation basics and best practices
API documentation should be easy to understand -- but how do you accomplish this? Use this quick guide to learn key API documentation components, noteworthy tools and best practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Apr 2020
Getting to know the API proxy
Explore the capabilities and practical uses for an API proxy, as well as examine the relationship between an API proxy and an API gateway. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Apr 2020
5 core components of microservices architecture
Before you build a microservices application, take a closer look at the components of the architecture and their capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Apr 2020
Deal with remote software testing challenges
Is your software QA team new to remote work? Learn what technical, process and culture challenges you will encounter, and how to surpass them to ensure quality. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Mar 2020
5 key software testability characteristics
How do you design the software components for comprehensive testing? Start with these fundamentals of software testability -- from mocks and stubs to infrastructure-as-code. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Mar 2020
What's the purpose of a Gantt chart for large-scale projects?
A Gantt chart's selling point is that it's simple to understand at a glance. But a large-scale project, such as a DevOps transformation, quickly turns that advantage into a flaw. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
29 Jan 2020
Project management tools and strategies: Gantt charts, PERT charts and PM planning tools
In project management, charts can visualize work in progress -- and there are many ways to do so. Learn how Agile teams use Gantt, PERT, burn down and other charts to stay on track. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jan 2020
How to write a good software bug report
When it comes to defect reporting, the more detail, the better. Here's how to produce defect reports that get bugs fixed fast. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jan 2020
Pros and cons of monolithic vs. microservices architecture
Developers interested in shifting to microservices should seriously consider whether a monolithic approach may be the smarter choice. Here are the key factors to consider. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jan 2020
Weigh these RPA benefits and challenges against APIs
APIs are a safe, reliable way for applications to execute a workflow. But they're not always available. Here's how to craft an integration strategy around APIs, RPA and even people. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jan 2020
Follow these 10 fundamental microservices design principles
The right design principles enable microservices adopters to build an application from autonomous, cohesive components that can scale seamlessly. Here are 10 to follow. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2020
How to improve API documentation with Swagger and OpenAPI
Discover why developers should take advantage of Swagger tooling and the OpenAPI specification to streamline API design, documentation and management, especially for RESTful APIs. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jan 2020
How user story mapping aids requirements gathering in Agile
Agile requirements are dynamic, not static. Collaborate on user story maps to make sense of frequently evolving customer needs, and put a Scrum Master at the center of it all. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2019
Automation, UX among top software development goals for 2020
New Year's resolutions are a way to take stock of where we are, and where we want to be. Programmers, QA testers, UX designers and others share their software dev goals for 2020. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Nov 2019
Assess low-code platform pros and cons
Some see low-code platforms as intuitive and time-saving, but security and compliance concerns could negate those benefits. See where low-code tools stand with these pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2019
API gateway comparison: Kong vs. Tyk
API gateways help organizations smooth out interactions among microservices. This side-by-side rundown of Kong vs. Tyk will help you choose which tool fits your business' needs. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2019
Use an API mapping tool to demystify complex API integrations
Whether a simple diagram or more complex model, an API mapping tool can bring order to loosely coupled application components, speed up debugging and simplify application updates. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Oct 2019
Compare microservices deployment patterns for best strategy
To solve pesky deployment woes, match your app to a microservices deployment pattern, like single service instance per host, multiple service instances per host or even serverless. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2019
Compare the top mobile operating systems for developers
Explore the differences between the leading mobile operating systems as well as the ways that they differ from traditional desktop applications. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2019
How to make distributed Agile teams efficient and collaborative
Agile teams don't always exist under one roof, but they should still be aligned in responsibilities and goals. Here's the best way to approach global Agile team management. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 May 2019
How Agile and DevOps leadership empowers the whole team
A dictatorial style of leadership doesn't cut it in Agile and DevOps shops. Here's how managers can ditch bad habits and instead encourage team experimentation and decision-making. Continue Reading