Application Architecture: Page

My first attempt at vibe coding

Can you teach an old programming dog a new trick?

By Tyler Shields • April 7, 2025

How to handle root cause analysis of software defects

Root cause analysis plays a significant role in helping software teams fix defects in applications. Here's how to employ it to get the most out of the RCA process.

By Stephen Bigelow • April 7, 2025

What is an executable file (EXE file)?

An executable file (EXE file) is a computer file that contains an encoded sequence of instructions the system executes when the user clicks the file icon.

By Ivy Wigmore, Ben Lutkevich, Mary Shacklett • April 7, 2025

Distributed tracing vs. logging: Uses and how they differ

Distributed tracing and logging help IT teams identify performance issues in systems in different ways. But they also complement each other to pinpoint problems.

By Donald Farmer • April 4, 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.

By Matt Heusser • April 3, 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.

By Mary Pratt, Chris Tozzi • April 3, 2025

What is regression testing?

Regression testing is a type of software test that assesses if changes to an application, or other related software components, introduce defects.

By Ryan Black • April 3, 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.

By Twain Taylor • April 2, 2025

What is a uniform resource identifier (URI)?

A uniform resource identifier (URI) is a character sequence that identifies a logical (abstract) or physical resource -- usually, but not always, connected to the internet.

By Fred Churchville, Rahul Awati • April 2, 2025

What is synthetic monitoring?

Synthetic monitoring is a proactive monitoring approach that uses scripted simulations of user interactions to assess the performance and availability of websites, applications and services.

By Chris Tozzi, Kinza Yasar • April 1, 2025

What is a script?

In computer programming, a script is a program or sequence of instructions that another program interprets or carries rather than the computer processor doing it (as with a compiled program).

By Rahul Awati • March 31, 2025

How to write pseudocode: A guided tutorial

Writing pseudocode might feel like an extra step, but its value becomes clear in complex projects. Focus on the logic without getting tangled in language-specific syntax.

By Twain Taylor • March 28, 2025

The benefits and limitations of headless browser testing

Headless browsers offer efficient web UI testing but lack the visual debugging capabilities of traditional browsers, making assessing the app's state upon test failure challenging.

By Matt Grasberger • March 28, 2025

APM vs. observability: Key differences explained

If you're debating using application performance monitoring or observability to gather data and improve the user experience, consider these differences between them.

By Brien Posey • March 27, 2025

An explanation of software-as-a-service (SaaS)

Software-as-a-service is a way for organizations to rent cloud computing services rather than buy and own applications. It has both advantages and disadvantages.

By Sabrina Polin • March 27, 2025

What is the strangler fig pattern, and how does it work?

Imagine owning a motorcycle that needs fixing up. Instead of disassembling it and spending months rebuilding, what-if you replaced one part at a time so you could keep using it?

By Matt Heusser • March 25, 2025

Introduction to JavaFX tutorial for beginners

Did you think desktop development in Java was dead? Far from it. Here's how JavaFX has brought desktop programming in Java back to life.

By Cameron McKenzie • March 21, 2025

Top 5 quantum computing certifications in 2025

Quantum computing is advancing quickly, and completing a certification boosts employability and helps to stay ahead of the curve.

By Rosa Heaton • March 21, 2025

Understanding code smells and how refactoring can help

It works, but does it pass the sniff test? Code smells can be the canary in the coal mine for poor coding, which calls for refactoring. Explore how to identify and deodorize code smells.

By Matt Grasberger, Joydip Kanjilal • March 21, 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.

By Dave Shackleford , Michael Cobb • March 20, 2025

8 benefits of APM for businesses

Application performance monitoring helps development teams identify and resolve performance problems, which leads to various business benefits for organizations.

By Zachary Flower • March 20, 2025

Key considerations for data-intensive architectures

A shift toward data-driven decision-making amplifies the need for scalable systems that deliver real-time business insights supported by quality data.

By Priyank Gupta • March 19, 2025

What is security by design?

Security by design is an approach to software and hardware development that seeks to make systems as free of vulnerabilities and impervious to attack as possible through such measures as continuous testing, authentication safeguards and adherence to best programming practices.

By Paul Kirvan, Ivy Wigmore • March 18, 2025

APM vs. distributed tracing: How they differ

Application performance monitoring and distributed tracing help IT teams identify performance problems in different but complementary ways, as explained here.

By Donald Farmer • March 18, 2025

Prompt engineering takes shape for devs as agentic AI dawns

Real-world best practices are emerging at companies such as LinkedIn, Oracle and AWS, and agentic AI is poised to fundamentally alter the day-to-day work of software engineers.

By Beth Pariseau • March 18, 2025