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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News
02 Jul 2020
Amazon CodeGuru uses machine learning to improve code
With Amazon CodeGuru now generally available, developers can write higher-quality, cost-efficient Java code. The service uses machine learning to find and fix bugs. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Jul 2020
Software performance testing requirements and prerequisites
Just because software passes functional tests doesn't mean it works. Dig into stress, load, endurance and other performance tests, and their prerequisites and requirements. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jul 2020
Examples of low-code projects show stumbles and successes
Can business staff and software developers really work together on a low-code project? It's not easy, but it can be done. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jun 2020
Key strategies to help migrate to microservices
Microservices adoption is no easy feat. In addition to the technical process of transitioning from a monolith, enterprises must also look at team structure and common migration mistakes. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2020
How to test mobile applications using a game emulator
We could all use a little wiggle room in software testing budgets. Sometimes you've got to be creative to find it. Learn how a video game emulator can test mobile apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2020
4 common software maintenance models and when to use them
Should you use a quick-fix or closed-loop maintenance model for the software project on your development team's plate? What about iterative? Learn the benefits, use cases and limits of four common models. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2020
Why COBOL modernization matters, and how devs can react
With COBOL expertise in high demand and low supply, it may be time for devs to think about how much they really know about this language. We explore why COBOL skills still matter. Continue Reading
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Video
26 Jun 2020
Xray for Jira tutorial on test management, execution
The Xray plugin makes test management easier within Jira. Follow along with this video tutorial to take some of the friction out of your test management process. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jun 2020
Amazon uses spreadsheet interface for Honeycode no-code tool
Amazon Web Services has delivered a new no-code tool called Honeycode. It is a fully managed service with a spreadsheet user interface for non-programmers to create apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jun 2020
How to perform effective code reviews -- in less time
Waiting for code reviews can feel like watching paint dry. Break the bad habit of slow code reviews with these organizational changes -- just remember it takes time to save time. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2020
The guide to landing an enterprise architect job
Interested in becoming an enterprise architect? This guide reviews the essential responsibilities of architects and how you can master the application process. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2020
10 exploratory testing techniques for QA professionals
Software testers, embrace your creative and fearless side. Learn how to do exploratory testing with approaches for QA professionals of all skill levels. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jun 2020
A five-point primer on event-driven design
More apps are moving away from request-driven models in favor of event-driven architecture. But are you ready for this design? Find out with these five quick tips. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2020
GitLab makes two acquisitions to shift fuzz testing left
GitLab has scooped up fuzz testing startups Fuzzit and Peach Tech, a move that will shift fuzz testing left in the DevSecOps toolchain. 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
10 Jun 2020
An enterprise architect's guide to the data modeling process
As volumes of both business and application data grow, organizations need a strict, three-phase data modeling process that keeps that data contained and manageable. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jun 2020
How experts run shift-left and shift-right testing
It's time to eliminate the testing bottleneck. Perform tests early and late in the SDLC to keep software moving -- and cut down on defects. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jun 2020
How to hold effective Agile sprint planning meetings
Successful Agile sprints aren't about 10x developers or all-night testing sessions. It all comes down to how you plan. Here's how to plan sprints that run in an effective way. Continue Reading
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News
04 Jun 2020
Microsoft fuels 'developer velocity' with Azure, new tools
Microsoft is pushing the theme of 'developer velocity,' or how coders can quickly transform an idea into viable business software. Experts vary on how new the concept really is. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jun 2020
How to start using a BDD framework
Why bother with behavior-driven development? Learn how this Agile-focused development framework can help bolster application quality, and explore tooling that can help. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 May 2020
What matters most in an Agile organizational structure
Forcing an Agile approach onto team members causes more problems than it solves. 'Doing Agile Right' distills real-world experience into advice -- including when to delay change. 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
29 May 2020
Fix spaghetti code and other pasta-theory antipatterns
Developers must try to write maintainable, reusable code. That's easier said than done. Learn about programming antipatterns espoused in the pasta theory, and don't forget a napkin. Continue Reading
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News
28 May 2020
DockerCon 2020 showcases tighter alliance with Microsoft
Docker has introduced an integration with Azure Container Instances that developers can use to run Docker commands in ACI and switch from desktop development to the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 May 2020
3 common challenges of mobile application testing
Testers often struggle with these three aspects of mobile app testing. Luckily, these QA challenges aren't insurmountable. Learn how to mitigate these mobile app testing problems. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 May 2020
Virtual software development and testing conferences to attend
Yes, you're stuck at home, but developers and testers can actually learn more for less money than in the past. Connect with dev and test experts at these virtual conferences. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 May 2020
How declarative DevOps enables self-service, flexible delivery
DevOps teams can achieve automated delivery via a lot of custom code, or they can implement declarative tools and templates. Declarative DevOps has many advantages to offer. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 May 2020
DBmaestro vs. Liquibase: Database DevOps tools square off
DevOps has reached databases, which means yet another option to consider in your toolchain. Learn what matters in a database DevOps tool, and what sets apart Liquibase and DBmaestro. Continue Reading
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Video
22 May 2020
Follow this step-by-step Bamboo CI/CD tutorial
Train with this video tutorial to learn how to use Bamboo, setting up a CI/CD pipeline. Customize it with triggers, learn how to control branches and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 May 2020
3 lessons microservices developers can learn from SOA
Microservices developers can learn from past SOA mistakes to build more resilient and high-performance applications today. Take a look at three major lessons for microservices projects. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 May 2020
Software development must align with your business-side team
Software development has become a company-wide process, with business teams now offering their input. DevOps must learn to work with them for projects to succeed. Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2020
Kite intros code completion for JavaScript developers
Kite's AI-powered code completion technology helps make Python and JavaScript developers more productive with deep learning models that predict the next logical line of code in apps. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 May 2020
Which Agile contract type fits your project and budget?
A contracts expert shares common agreement types for Agile software development project outsourcing, and where companies tend to go wrong. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 May 2020
How to fuse domain-driven design and microservices
Domain-driven design helps organizations create business capabilities with the architecture that microservices need. Here's how to merge DDD into your development process. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 May 2020
2020 conferences for software developers and architects
Fortunately, you can't lose your badge at a virtual conference. Check out our list of both online and in-person conferences, including DockerCon, API World and Microsoft Build. Continue Reading
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News
08 May 2020
Collaboration, better coding themes dominate GitHub Satellite
GitHub released two new tools at its GitHub Satellite virtual event: GitHub Codespaces and GitHub Discussions. Both are meant to help developers collaborate and code more effectively. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 May 2020
Complete guide to penetration testing best practices
Pen testing uncovers security vulnerabilities before hackers do. Use this guide to learn about the tooling options, test types, use cases and common flaws in software penetration testing. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 May 2020
5 stages of an API lifecycle explained
APIs are not just a component you can set and forget. Developers need to plan, create, deploy and monitor APIs to keep them aligned with business needs, as well as know when it's time to retire them. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Apr 2020
Kotlin vs. Swift: An open source programming language face-off
Take a look into what Kotlin and Swift have to offer in terms of cross-platform capabilities, library support and ease of use. Also, review their major strengths and limitations. Continue Reading
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News
29 Apr 2020
Node.js 14 delivers more enterprise-friendly features
Node.js 14 is now available with new features aimed at the demands of enterprise developers, who have increasingly adopted the server-side runtime environment for JavaScript. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
29 Apr 2020
5 best practices for remote development teams
More developers than ever now work from home and must quickly adapt to remote life. Our experts explain how to proactively support the isolated members of your development team. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2020
Top criteria that belong in a mobile app testing plan
Smartphones are ubiquitous, but no two users are the same -- bandwidth, devices, OSes and platforms differ. Here's how to test mobile apps exhaustively and prioritize what matters. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2020
Sonatype Nexus vs. JFrog: Pick an open source security scanner
Chances are your organization relies on open source code. But how do you manage code vulnerabilities? Find a product best suited for your needs in this Sonatype Nexus vs. JFrog comparison. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2020
The 5 essential elements of an RPA strategy
RPA's benefits can be wiped out by an improper implementation. Give your business a sound RPA strategy and roadmap before you rush in. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Apr 2020
DevSecOps and the changing view of security for DevOps
Organizations shouldn't keep DevOps and security siloed. Bring them together as DevSecOps, ensuring security is built into applications earlier and with less of a struggle. 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
23 Apr 2020
Git version control helps remote teams with integrated builds
Organizations with remote development teams should use Git repositories and Git version control while developing integrated software builds. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2020
4 microservices antipatterns that ruin migration
A migration to microservices can quickly lead to a chaotic heap of overly-coupled modules and fragile code. Here are the most critical microservices antipatterns to avoid. Continue Reading
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Video
22 Apr 2020
GitHub Actions tutorial walks through a CI/CD setup
New to GitHub Actions? Get started with this video tutorial, which walks step by step through the process to make a CI/CD workflow, using Terraform and Azure as an example. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2020
5 ways to empower remote development teams
It's hard to maintain productivity when you work from home. Take up these remote dev and test practices to keep software projects on track despite the obstacles. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2020
Use tokens for microservices authentication and authorization
Independent and interoperable microservices require a permissions rethink, or you'll drive users crazy. Examine how tokens come into play for authentication and authorization. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Apr 2020
Improve ROI in software testing with adaptability, automation
QA needs to reiterate its value to the business side of the organization. Use this tried-and-true advice to leverage documentation and automation to make everyone happy. Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Apr 2020
Agile characteristics for internal software development teams
Not all developers create software for external users. So, what lessons can internal dev teams learn from Agile? Start with one problem at a time and iterate from there. Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2020
COVID-19 unemployment claims up demand for COBOL programmers
There is an urgent need for COBOL programmers amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated the U.S. economy and overwhelmed unemployment insurance systems in some states. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Apr 2020
A comprehensive test automation guide for IT teams
This one-stop test automation guide walks through the benefits and challenges, how to craft an automated testing strategy and how to compare tools. Continue Reading
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Video
16 Apr 2020
Watch this Atlassian Confluence tutorial for beginners
Agile leaders must manage and connect with their development teams, no matter where they're located. In this Atlassian Confluence demo, learn how to boost remote developer collaboration. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Apr 2020
How to get started with automation test scripts
What makes a good test script? And how do you evaluate appropriate tools and languages? Here's what software developers and testers need to know to make test automation part of their process. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Apr 2020
Find the right software testing methods for your dev process
Many organizations want to do more automated testing, but which tests solve specific problems? Here's a breakdown of the key test types and how they might fit your test strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Apr 2020
What to include in a disaster recovery testing plan
Prepare software systems for disasters by putting together and testing a disaster recovery plan. Be ready for ransomware, fires, sabotage and a spilled cup of coffee on a laptop. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Apr 2020
Microservices availability tips for pandemic's scaling challenge
Surges in app user activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have forced architects to make immediate decisions around service availability and performance, especially for distributed architectures. Continue Reading
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News
14 Apr 2020
GitHub Free expanded to support teams
The free tier of GitHub’s version control platform is now available to entire teams, after previously being limited to individuals and small groups. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Apr 2020
Find the right automation test cases
One piece of software might be well-suited for test automation while another won't. Here are the factors to look for when you need to settle on your test strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2020
The 7 crucial RPA developer skills
As enterprises move in on RPA, they need developers who can juggle both the business and technical sides of automation. Here are seven essential RPA developer skills. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2020
Agiloft adds AI engine to its no-code CLM platform
With a new AI engine for its contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform, Agiloft is giving developers assistance in building CLM applications using the company's no-code tech. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Apr 2020
7 questions to ask before you select software testing tools
Before you select software testing tools, you need to know how to evaluate them. Explore trial versions, research the vendors and assess your organization's needs and capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2020
How developers focus despite open offices, concurrent projects
What do shared meeting calendars, pink sombreros and home offices have in common? They're all ways to combat distractions and let programmers focus on productive coding. Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2020
Atlassian taps AWS, Sentry and Snyk for Bitbucket Pipelines
Atlassian has created a promotion around its Bitbucket Pipelines CI/CD platform to help developers gain access to tools that will help them turn out error-free code. 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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Feature
09 Apr 2020
Compare the top automated functional testing tools
This roundup of top automated functional testing tools, including Selenium, Micro Focus UFT and TestComplete, will guide you to pick the best choice for software testing needs. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Apr 2020
Weigh test automation's advantages and disadvantages
Automated testing can add speed and completeness to the software development process, but be sure you've considered the tradeoffs. Let's look at the pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Apr 2020
4 ways to make a distributed Scrum team work
Distributed Scrum team members must find virtual ways to replicate the workflows, practices, tools and perks that a colocated team has access to -- from the comforts of their homes. 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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Answer
08 Apr 2020
Know when to choose automated vs. manual testing
Vendors have inched toward automated application testing for a long time, yet there is still room for growth. Software tester Amy Reichert offers her insights. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Apr 2020
Can we fully automate our software testing?
Your boss has jumped on the bandwagon to automate software testing. Don't despair. Software testing expert Matt Heusser walks through what to say -- and do -- to keep everyone happy. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Apr 2020
4 ways to use record and playback test automation tools
Many test automation tools offer record and playback testing. Here's how to apply this handy capability for training, usability tests and continuous automated testing. Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2020
IBM Call for Code unleashes developers on COVID-19
IBM's Call for Code competition wants developers to create applications that help communities deal with and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Apr 2020
How to evaluate test automation languages
You have options when choosing a test automation language. Is Java the way to go? What about Ruby or Python? Let's look at the pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2020
How to plan and execute a migration to microservices
Ready for a migration to microservices? Here are the steps your development team can take to gradually transition your existing monolithic applications. Continue Reading
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Podcast
30 Mar 2020
Tanmay Bakshi talks programming with Julia and Swift
Programmers are problem solvers first, and code writers second, says Tanmay Bakshi in this interview. He shares how programmers should learn to code and develop machine learning apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Mar 2020
The 3 tenets of microservice messaging patterns
In a microservices architecture, there's no question that it's tricky to ensure effective service communication. Review these three tenets of microservice messaging patterns. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2020
Test automation maintenance requires knowledge sharing
An important but overlooked aspect of test automation maintenance is the institutional knowledge of how the testing is done. Don't restrict that information to just a few people. 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
30 Mar 2020
How do you run effective standup meetings?
When it comes to Agile standups, throw out the rulebook. Effective standup meetings result from flexibility, not rigidity. Follow these five guidelines to get more engagement. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2020
Get started with a hybrid microservices model
Enterprises don't always have to choose between a microservices and monolithic architecture -- take a hybrid approach to experience the best of both worlds. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Mar 2020
Automate security testing and scans for DevSecOps success
Attackers are knocking at your door. Don't waste time with repetitive, automatable security tasks. Here's how DevSecOps enables code analysis, security testing and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Mar 2020
Reduce these forms of AI bias from devs and testers
Watch out for cognitive biases in every development and testing decision -- especially AI biases that affect software users. Here are the ways to address common issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Mar 2020
How to set up a chaos engineering game day
Is it fun to spend the day breaking stuff in a war room with your coworkers? Of course, but more than that, it's vital to the security and stability of certain applications. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Mar 2020
14 top mobile app KPIs that advance development
No matter its purpose, a mobile application must meet expectations from users and corporate stakeholders. Here are 14 mobile app KPIs that you need to know. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2020
What is the difference between Python and Ruby?
In this article, we explore the genesis of these two programming languages, notable characteristics and differences, and where each language might be headed. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Mar 2020
4 trends for Kubernetes cloud-native teams to watch in 2020
Today's software architectural landscape seems to change like the weather. Stay ahead of the curve with these cloud-related trends, including GitOps and service meshes. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Mar 2020
A concurrent programming faceoff: Erlang vs. Elixir
Do you want the strong data integrity of Erlang, or the flexibility of Elixir? We explore the pros and cons of each in this head-to-head language matchup. 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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News
17 Mar 2020
GitHub for mobile brings dev platform to small screens
GitHub for mobile delivers a fully native iOS and Android development experience of the popular GitHub source code version control service for developers. Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2020
Atlassian integrates Automation for Jira no-code tool
Atlassian has integrated no-code technology gained from last year’'s acquisition of Automation for Jira by Code Barrel into its Jira Cloud issue-tracking service. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2020
Docker targets cloud-native developers with tools, services
With cloud-native development being key to application modernization and digital transformation efforts, Docker has refocused its strategy to empower developers with tools. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Mar 2020
What is the difference between SIT and UAT?
User acceptance testing and system integration testing differ in one key way: the person who does the testing. Learn when to apply UAT vs. SIT. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Mar 2020
What is a microkernel architecture, and is it right for you?
Apps aren't limited to monolith and microservices architecture. Discover the benefits of a microkernel, common plugins and the apps best suited for this type of architecture. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Mar 2020
Break monoliths into microservices with 3 steps
To decompose a monolith into microservices, you could take the application offline or halt all updates and rewrite everything. Or you could follow this practical approach. Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2020
Mendix expands support with private, dedicated cloud options
Low-code platform provider Mendix has released Mendix for Private Cloud and Mendix Dedicated Cloud, new offerings aimed at enterprises with special security and compliance needs. Continue Reading