Application Architecture
Top Stories
-
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
-
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
-
Tip
29 Oct 2019
The right (and wrong) way to think about code refactoring
Code refactoring keeps code clean, sharp and efficient -- ideally without changing any of its functionality. Learn how to refactor code without interrupting your deployment pipeline. Continue Reading
-
Answer
25 Oct 2019
What goes into a user story vs. use case for Agile development?
Developers refer to software requirements to code a good product, but there are different ways to categorize user needs. What's the difference between a user story vs. a use case? Continue Reading
-
Podcast
24 Oct 2019
What the DevOps movement has done for -- and to -- developers
As DevOps hits the mainstream in enterprise IT, Gene Kim examines what makes a successful DevOps approach, how developers should define their value and where we go from here. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Oct 2019
10 tips for effective change management in Agile
Agile development encourages product owners to address customer needs through change. Follow these 10 tips for change requests and management practices that keep projects on track. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Oct 2019
Scala: Lightweight functional programming for Java
Scala provides a lightweight code option for Java development, but there could be a steep learning curve. Learn a little about Scala and if it's worth adopting. Continue Reading
-
Feature
22 Oct 2019
DevSecOps puts software development and security on equal footing
With DevSecOps, organizations spread out security responsibilities to ops and devs. Here's how programmers can expect their roles to change and why it's not such a bad thing. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
22 Oct 2019
The best Agile architects write code
To be a better software architect, brush up on programming skills and write code. See how Agile architects help developers and make projects better when they dabble in coding. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Oct 2019
3 ways to implement a functional programming architecture
Functional programming, which came about as a highly theoretical, mathematical way to build software, has a place in APIs and other components of applications. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Oct 2019
4 vital UX testing methods for concept through development
Don't rely on a single UX test, and don't create an overloaded bottleneck that delays development. Instead, deploy these four UX assessments iteratively and often. Continue Reading
-
Answer
21 Oct 2019
What's the difference between API and web services testing?
Web services and APIs aren't the same -- or are they? How do web services and API testing differ, and what does each type of test aim to achieve? Continue Reading
-
Feature
21 Oct 2019
Build a DevOps toolchain that's efficient and effective
Is it possible to create a DevOps toolchain that meets the needs of developers, IT operations teams and business staffers? Here's how to devise a strategy. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Oct 2019
The benefits -- and tradeoffs -- of a mobile SDK
A mobile SDK can do wonders for mobile app development. But how does it work, and what are the pitfalls to watch out for when you take this approach? Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Oct 2019
How to tame ever-changing requirements in software development
When one sprint ends, another begins -- but not before you receive a heaping new pile of requirements. Here's how to deal with requirements changes efficiently, every time, any time. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Oct 2019
Web and mobile testing faceoff: Sauce Labs vs. BrowserStack
Two automated testing platforms enter; only one tool leaves. IT consultant Tom Nolle examines how Sauce Labs and BrowserStack each test apps across mobile devices and web browsers. Continue Reading
-
Feature
08 Oct 2019
UX guidelines for people-friendly software
Nail these UX design concepts for easier transitions from requirements to application design to code. Continue Reading
-
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
-
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
-
Answer
30 Sep 2019
How do you choose between SDKs and APIs for enterprise apps?
Explore the pros and cons that differentiate SDKs and APIs from each other and come to understand what types of applications call for SDKs, APIs or both. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Sep 2019
Implement a DevSecOps pipeline to boost releases' security posture
Break security out of its silo, and get the whole team on board to create a culture of quality with the right tools at the right time -- and stop blindly rushing to release. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Sep 2019
Tips to use for microservices in mobile app development
With mobile apps dominating enterprise customer interactions, developers must dig into microservices architectures, brush up on programming skills and decipher business requirements. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Sep 2019
5 key ways to fulfill the role of QA in DevOps
DevOps teams want production-ready code, which means someone in this fast-moving pipeline needs to think like a user. Enter QA, with its toolkit of exploratory tests, design review and more. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Sep 2019
Choose an event-processing architecture for an application
Sift through the state control methods that exist for event-driven applications and see which architecture type is the best fit. Continue Reading
-
Podcast
26 Sep 2019
Why DevOps underscores the importance of software testing
There's no debating the importance of software testing. But QA should be everyone's responsibility. In this podcast, learn how to follow a team-wide approach to quality. Continue Reading
-
Answer
26 Sep 2019
What are some bad coding practices to avoid?
Application development projects aren't meeting expectations, and developers are not sure why. What are some common bad coding practices that developers follow but should avoid? Continue Reading
-
Tip
25 Sep 2019
These 6 microservices architecture design patterns solve problems
Navigate the benefits and drawbacks of standard architecture design patterns that aim to diminish microservices deployment and performance miseries. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Sep 2019
Elixir functional programming enables concurrency, fault tolerance
Developers can combine features of Erlang functional programming with a newer language, Elixir, which promises simplicity and fault-tolerant operations for distributed applications. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Sep 2019
Unravel asynchronous inter-service communication in microservices
See why microservices need to communicate with each other asynchronously. Then, see how to surmount the challenges of inter-service communication in microservices architecture. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Sep 2019
Working with Git branches and repositories
With a grasp of just a few basic concepts and commands, developers can use Git's branching capability for feature development and experimentation, testing before release and more. Continue Reading
-
Answer
19 Sep 2019
Can API mapping fix data integration problems?
The more distributed and complex a modern application is, the more likely an API mapping tool should join the developers' arsenal for efficient design and troubleshooting. Continue Reading
-
Tip
18 Sep 2019
How to approach test case design
To be a good tester, start at requirements and user expectations, then develop test cases that make certain those needs are met. Walk through the basics of test cases with expert Gerie Owen. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Sep 2019
Mobile Labs adds GigaFox Red, Silver to mobile device cloud suite
The new GigaFox platforms enable users to create a pool of shareable mobile devices; remotely add, disable, reboot and unlock devices; control and monitor device usage and more. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Sep 2019
Container image size makes a difference
IT teams ready to embark on container deployment should look closely at how developers break down and package application components. Little details will be important. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Sep 2019
How to prevent lingering software quality issues
Coders can learn a lot from manufacturers, according to Gary Gruver, even though the products are distinctly different. This free chapter excerpt covers how to approach QA issues. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Sep 2019
Invoke these 3 commandments of microservice applications
Unlock a microservice app's potential with a three-pillared approach centered on a thorough component directory, absolute service flexibility and reliable backwards compatibility. Continue Reading
-
Answer
13 Sep 2019
Which programming practices alleviate code redundancy?
WET code leaves apps bogged down. Learn how to reduce the challenges brought on by code redundancy by programming based on the DRY principle. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
11 Sep 2019
Challenge your wits on stateful and stateless concepts
It's essential to understand the differences between stateful and stateless application characteristics, especially as distributed architectures grow in popularity. Test your knowledge on state concepts with this quiz. Continue Reading
-
Tip
06 Sep 2019
How to achieve speedy application response times
Development and operations teams both have a responsibility to ensure fast application response times. Follow this advice to measure and reduce delay. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Sep 2019
DevOps tools market shrinks with SmartBear, TPG Capital moves
The DevOps tools space has seen a steady stream of mergers and acquisitions, as private equity investors and larger companies see money in software development and delivery tools. Continue Reading
-
Tip
05 Sep 2019
How to plot out a test automation strategy
Test automation can deliver great value or immense frustration. Map out a winning approach that helps engineers learn test automation skills and doesn't leave them exasperated. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Aug 2019
Low-code goes mainstream to ease app dev woes
Enterprises are after low-code/no-code platforms to help with developer productivity, as they find themselves under increased pressure to produce apps with fewer skilled developers. Continue Reading
-
Infographic
29 Aug 2019
How citizen developers offer IT relief -- and headaches
Low-code application development platforms enable citizen development, where anyone can build software. While this approach can be a boon to productivity, it carries definite risks. Continue Reading
-
Infographic
29 Aug 2019
Serverless architecture diagram shows a new side of server-side
Examine this serverless architecture diagram to see how development processes and the lifecycle of code differs from traditional server- and client-side development. Continue Reading
-
Podcast
29 Aug 2019
Listen and learn about QA automation, built-in quality
Poorly designed environments and QA automation scripts impede digital transformation. In this podcast, we discuss how to stabilize a quality signal and implement continuous improvement. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Aug 2019
Match market shifts with a lightweight enterprise architecture
Lightweight EA can streamline and refine how IT software meets business needs. See which lightweight EA toolkit route fits your team: one focused on an EA model or workflows. Continue Reading
-
Feature
29 Aug 2019
Digital business upends the CIO and enterprise architect role
IDC analyst Mike Rosen explains how new digital business pursuits amplify enterprise architects and CIOs into newly amplified roles that put business goals and requirements first. Continue Reading
-
News
28 Aug 2019
Atomist adds drift management feature to pare technical debt
Atomist has added a feature to its software delivery automation platform to help enterprises visualize, identify and fix the problem of technology drift. Continue Reading
-
Tip
28 Aug 2019
Try these 5 team-building activities for software developers
Whether it's a soft skills workshop, simulated outage exercise or in-house tech conference, these one-day events get dev teams out of a coding rut. Plan yours now. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Aug 2019
ICYMI: How to select and manage serverless APIs effectively
Explore how API selection and API management in a serverless architecture can make all the difference between getting results and having your project fall flat. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Aug 2019
10 skills of highly effective software testers
QA professionals with hands-on experience and a mix of technical and soft skills offer great value for software engineering teams. Testers with these 10 skills can boost their careers. Continue Reading
-
Definition
22 Aug 2019
What is React Native?
React Native is an open source JavaScript framework for mobile application development. The framework is based on Facebook’s user interface (UI) JavaScript library, React, and can be used to design apps for the web, iOS and Android. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Aug 2019
Consortium taps Linux group, IT vendors to encrypt data in use
The Confidential Computing Consortium mobilizes hardware vendors, cloud providers, developers and open source experts with the Linux Foundation to find ways to secure data in use. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Aug 2019
Implement and manage an event-driven microservices architecture
Learn the basics of event-driven architecture as they apply to microservices, with the help of real-world examples and three main architecture patterns. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Aug 2019
Serverless testing in CI eliminates surprises in production
Writing in a functional language without intuitive unit test coverage? Don't have control over resources or scaling? Here's how to make serverless testing work anyway. Continue Reading
-
Tip
20 Aug 2019
Software reliability engineering practices for distributed apps
Learn how these four software reliability engineering concepts -- inventories, monitoring, observability and Pareto analysis -- can aid API management and application performance. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Aug 2019
What semantic monitoring can and can't do for microservices
Semantic monitoring can identify microservices performance problems, catch bugs in transactions and ensure uptime. But when you test in production, you'd better know what you're doing. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Aug 2019
What is Jenkins X?
Jenkins X is an open source system that provides continuous integration (CI), continuous delivery (CD) and automated testing tools designed for cloud-native applications in a Kubernetes environment. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Aug 2019
What is the OpenAPI Specification?
The OpenAPI (OAI) Specification defines a standard, programming language-agnostic interface description for RESTful APIs. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Aug 2019
What is Kong?
Kong is an open source API gateway and platform that acts as middleware between compute clients and the API-centric applications. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Aug 2019
What is AutoRABIT?
AutoRABIT is an end-to-end release management suite specifically aimed at streamlining the development and release of Salesforce.com applications by automating their continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) processes. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Aug 2019
What is Ballerina language?
Ballerina language is an open-source, cloud-native programming language designed to ease the burden of integration development associated with enterprise applications. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Aug 2019
What is Apigee?
Apigee, pronounced App-ih-gee, is an API gateway management tool offered by Google to exchange data across cloud services and applications. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Aug 2019
What is an API-centric application?
An API-centric application is a web service that is built using application programming interfaces (APIs) to exchange data with other applications. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Aug 2019
Apache OpenWhisk
Apache OpenWhisk is an open source and serverless cloud platform that performs functions in response to events. Continue Reading
-
News
15 Aug 2019
IBM, VMware ease Kubernetes complexity with Kabanero, Octant
Tools from IBM and VMware help developers build apps that are deployed on Kubernetes clusters, as well as handle complex Kubernetes workloads. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Aug 2019
How to become a UX designer with your QA background
If you're a tester, a switch to a UX role is fairly simple. A range of UX design skills are just a matter of evaluating user needs before developers build the app code -- not after. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 Aug 2019
Think carefully about API language standards
API language standards were few and far between in the past, but now cloud has made API standardization more important than ever. Learn what you need to know about these standards. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Aug 2019
ALM tools face-off pits SpiraTeam vs. Jira
Development teams must adopt an ALM tool that supports its procedures and objectives. Atlassian and Inflectra cater to different size dev teams. Which tool fits your needs? Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Aug 2019
API workflow design patterns for microservices scenarios
When it comes to workflow systems for microservices, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Learn about the API workflow pattern options that can set you straight. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Aug 2019
GitHub shakes up DevOps space, adds CI/CD to GitHub Actions
GitHub has added support for CI/CD to its source code management platform, based on developer feedback for deeper CI/CD integration. Continue Reading
-
Definition
07 Aug 2019
What is Swagger?
Swagger is an open source set of rules, specifications and tools for developing and describing RESTful APIs. Continue Reading
-
Definition
06 Aug 2019
Tyk
Tyk is an open source application program interface (API) gateway management tool. Continue Reading
-
Answer
05 Aug 2019
How do I foster reusable code across dev projects?
Developers don't have a lot of free time. Code reuse helps dev teams focus on the most valuable aspects of a project. So ensure your team knows how to write, and test, reusable code. Continue Reading
-
Definition
02 Aug 2019
What is a reactive systems architecture?
A computer systems paradigm that takes advantage of the responsiveness, flexibility and resiliency of reactive programming, so that various components can take continue to function and even thrive if any component is compromised. Continue Reading
-
Definition
02 Aug 2019
What is a restricted API?
A restricted API is an application program interface whose access, or use, is intentionally limited by web site developers for security purposes or business reasons. Continue Reading
-
News
31 Jul 2019
IBM Garage tunes up clients for multi-cloud projects
IBM's Garage methodology, which has helped more than 500 customers move to the cloud, modernize legacy apps and create new ones, has expanded its language support and internal use. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Jul 2019
Staging environment best practices that boost software QA
Despite advances like shift-right testing in production environments, staging environments still have a crucial role to play. Continue Reading
-
Answer
30 Jul 2019
Why would I use Micronaut framework instead of Java?
Micronaut is JVM-based, so what does it bring to application development and test that the Java framework doesn't already address? Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Jul 2019
The essentials of refactoring a monolith to microservices
Enterprise apps are complex, long-lived and vital to the business. In short, they're excruciatingly difficult to modernize. If you address these prerequisites, it will hurt less. Continue Reading
-
Podcast
29 Jul 2019
Apache exec talks prudent open source software project usage
The open source community faces a number of technical and existential threats. A veteran talks open source's role, funding, security and compliance, as well as his favorite projects. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Jul 2019
Mendix tweaks low-code, no-code platform with AI, mobile
The latest version of Mendix's low-code platform aims to empower both professional developers and citizen developers to build apps easily. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Jul 2019
How to design APIs for hybrid cloud architecture
Hybrid cloud is complex, particularly because it's the application -- not the server -- that manages API flows. Review some strategies for API management in a hybrid scenario. Continue Reading
-
Tip
25 Jul 2019
A serverless architecture tutorial for development teams
Still emerging serverless technology offers some big advantages for development teams. This serverless architecture tutorial can help clarify the basics on where to start. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
24 Jul 2019
Quiz yourself on smart API gateway management
Did you know that API gateways are multipurpose? Compare your knowledge of API gateways and API management in this quiz. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Jul 2019
How to build a test automation framework
To create an automated testing framework, establish plans for test creation, tools, reporting, logs and maintenance. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Jul 2019
4 practical methods to increase service resilience
Resiliency refers to the ability of your architecture to quickly predict, detect and mitigate potential performance failures. Here are four ways to fortify your software. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Jul 2019
Discern these open source license terms to avoid legal snags
Fluent in Ruby but at a loss in legalese? Open source licenses obligate developers to observe specific conditions, so you must know these terms. Let's break them down in plain English. Continue Reading
-
Feature
23 Jul 2019
How to choose cross-platform mobile development tools
Cross-platform development tools help organizations build apps for a variety of users and devices. But where to start? Learn what types of tools fit which situations. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Jul 2019
3 distributed tracing tools perfect for microservices
Distributed tracing is a critical part of the microservices monitoring processes. Here are three tools that can help provide the view you need to identify strangling bottlenecks. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Jul 2019
Pivotal tools aim to ease Kubernetes complexity for developers
Pivotal has released several tools to help developers and operators address Kubernetes complexity, as enterprises increasingly adopt the popular container orchestration system. Continue Reading
-
Tip
18 Jul 2019
Streamline CI/CD with the Jenkins Blue Ocean tool
Organizations that run Jenkins may find that plugins complicate their CI/CD pipeline. Here's how the continuous delivery tool Blue Ocean can help keep things on track. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Jul 2019
Prepare to face these 4 common challenges with microservices
The benefits of microservices come with a cost. Review four common ways breaking up a monolith can actually complicate routine application development and management tasks. Continue Reading
-
Answer
17 Jul 2019
How to meet QA responsibilities during a software tester shortage
An organization facing a dire shortage of QA engineers can't just dump these tasks on developers. Here's how to keep up software quality with limited QA resources. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Jul 2019
How to form a regression testing plan with these 5 questions
Make regression testing part of a software quality control plan. Determine the project's testing requirements, and team preferences, to clarify a potent regression testing strategy. Continue Reading
-
Feature
15 Jul 2019
GitHub Enterprise features, dev appeals reveal strategy
GitHub made moves in 2018 and 2019 to broaden and deepen its user base. Learn the major changes that users should know before committing code on the platform. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Jul 2019
Define a continuous improvement process with EA models, practices
Continuous improvement isn't just about centers of excellence or feedback loops. Ultimately, it must bring the vast enterprise architecture into rapid-fire code changes, and vice versa. Continue Reading
-
Feature
15 Jul 2019
Get started with native Windows mobile app development
There are pros and cons to embarking on Windows mobile app development. Find out if developing natively in Windows is right for your company. Continue Reading
-
Definition
10 Jul 2019
What is two-phase commit (2PC)?
Two-phase commit (2PC) is a standardized protocol that ensures atomicity, consistency, isolation and durability (ACID) of a transaction; it is an atomic commitment protocol for distributed systems. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
09 Jul 2019
Pick up basic Git commands with a hands-on tutorial
To get things done in Git, know your commands. Open up the version control system and replicate this quick tutorial to learn how to run crucial inputs. Continue Reading
-
Feature
08 Jul 2019
Fit iOS development tools into your app dev approach
There are pros and cons to going full bore into iOS development tools. Find out if developing natively in iOS is worth the extra cost and effort. Continue Reading
-
Feature
02 Jul 2019
Enterprise architect role is more about business than ever
Today's enterprise architects are more than just top-tier developers. Just like CIOs, they're expected to sit at the C-level table and shape business strategy. Continue Reading