More in This Series:
Mastering Essential Software Architecture Patterns: A Comprehensive Guideš ļø
Mastering Essential Software Architect...
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Going through this I thought it was another "comprehensive guide" that only talked about one thing or aspect again.
I was glad to see in the comments that you plan more parts to this series.
Having a solid foundation is critical to long term success of any software. Especially software that can become complex. And understanding the roles of architecture and design are a good start to being able to produce quality blueprints for software without detailing the actual building of the code so you can focus on what you need to focus on at a given point in the development of software.
Architecture gets the foundation blueprinted so that the design can be built maintainable and scalable.
I enjoyed the article.
Thank you for sharing!š¤
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging feedback!!! š I'm really glad you found value in the post and appreciated the broader perspective. You're absolutely rightālaying down a solid architectural foundation is indeed critical for building maintainable and scalable software, especially as complexity grows.
... And for the following blog series, you heard it right!! Iām excited to share that Iām currently planning at least two more posts in this series. One of them will include a practical example with code to bring the concepts to life and make them even more actionable. Stay tuned, and thank you again for your kindness and support! š
@boldnight153 I mean agree on good to seeing it called out that this will be a series. Though should probably add a club to post stating this.
But it kinda has to be a series because when doing a set greenfield or transition Architecture design documents its massive set of documents. Off my head I can think of at least 12 MAJOR documents that are needed. And I have seen ADGās that were legit 3 3ring binders wide in highly complex systems.
You're absolutely rightācalling this a series is a smart move, especially for such a complex topic. Architecture design for greenfield or transition projects requires a massive amount of documentation, from System Overviews to Deployment Plans and Non-Functional Requirements Analysis. Breaking it down into parts makes it much more digestible for readers.
Iāve also seen Architecture Decision Guides (ADGs) span multiple volumes, so your point about binders resonates. Adding a hub post to tie the series together is a great ideaāit ensures readers can easily navigate and stay engaged. I've taken your advice and I will do a longer series on that, by linking each blog post, thank you very much for your help!
Hello everyone! š
After so much hard work, Part 2 of "Mastering Essential Software Architecture Patterns: A Comprehensive Guide" is finally out! š
Check it out on Dev.to and dive into the advanced patterns, examples and so much more! Let me know what you think. š
Do you have complete example of the C4 model? I want to explore more about this model. Btw thanks for sharing.
Hi! Thank you for your comment ! I am currently working on the āsecond partā of this topic. In that part I will describe many software architectural patterns ( with explanation). It will be out in a week or soš
Thank you very much for reading and leaving this comment, if you have any suggestions, please write them below, so that I can improve the quality of my future contents!
Are there any models other than C4 for software architectural notation? I'd like to explore more on this since I'm in a lead developer role. BTW, your article is an eye opener to me. Thanks for sharing
Hi! Thank you very much for saying so, I am really pleased that you liked my article. Hereā s a list of some other models:
UML: Versatile diagrams for structure and behavior, ideal for detailed designs.
FBP: Models systems as data streams, great for pipelines and real-time apps.
ERD: Focuses on entity relationships, perfect for database-heavy designs.
SysML: Extends UML for systems engineering, useful for IoT and embedded systems.
ArchiMate/TOGAF: High-level frameworks for aligning IT with business strategy.
BPMN: Workflow modeling with events and activities.
DFD: Visualizes data flow in early design stages.
Hexagonal Architecture: Separates core logic from external systems, enhancing modularity.
State and Block Diagrams: Simple representations for quick understanding.
I hope to have answered you questions, by the way I should thank you because you gave me the opportunity to think about another article describing each of those modelsš!!
Great job in this article! I look forward into reading the other parts! š
I wanted to know your opinion in real world scenarios, for instance, I've worked on projects that felt like c4 model was a bit of over-engineering (or not).
So lets say I work on a micro-service, the context and component diagrams usually get a bit mixed, where I would show my micro-service and it's external dependencies (other microservices that I depend or depend on mine, database, message broker, monitoring, logging, etc).
For level 3 diagram, or mid-level I usually design the architecture of the micro-service (hexagonal architecture, for example).
And for level 4 usually sequence or class diagrams.
What do you think of this strategy? š
Thank you for sharing your approachāitās both thoughtful and practical! Here's my detailed take on your strategy:
Level 2 (Context/Component Diagrams): Combining the context and component diagrams to represent your microservice and its external dependencies is a practical approach. Highlighting dependencies like databases, message brokers, logging, and monitoring systems alongside interacting microservices creates a holistic view. This is especially useful for stakeholders and cross-functional teams who need to understand system-level interactions without being bogged down by implementation details.
Level 3 (Architecture Design): Using this level to zoom into the microserviceās architecture, such as applying the hexagonal architecture, is an excellent move. It provides a clear structure for developers and architects to see how the microservice handles dependencies, business logic, and interfaces, making it easier to maintain and extend.
Level 4 (Detailed Diagrams): Including sequence diagrams for workflows or class diagrams for structural details ensures that developers can quickly grasp the microserviceās internal workings. This level provides the "how" for specific processes and facilitates smoother onboarding and collaboration.
Your strategy reflects an ideal balance between clarity and practicality, avoiding the pitfall of over-engineering while ensuring enough detail for different audiences. Itās great to see how youāve adapted the C4 model principles to fit your needs!
More Resources for You
By the way, Iāve written four other parts in a series on related topics that you might find insightful. And this is just the beginningāthis series will have many more parts covering everything from architecture patterns to advanced techniques, so stay tuned for more!
If you think your colleagues or network could benefit from these insights, Iād be thrilled if you shared the series. It not only helps me reach more people but also contributes to fostering shared knowledge in our field. š
Let me know if youād like links to other articles I've written about the series, or if thereās a specific topic youād like me to cover in upcoming parts! š
Waiting for the next
Hi! Thank you very muchš I am currently working on the second part, I hope that I will provide additional useful informations.
Great post. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Building software its like building a house, the architect says we should not start by the roof.
Best regards.
Thank you so much for your kind words and your thoughtful analogyš. You're absolutely rightāstarting with a strong foundation is essential, whether itās in software or construction. I truly appreciate your support and insights. Best regards to you too! I am currently working on other blog posts on this topic, so if you enjoyed it, stay tuned!