Software architecture represents the inner threshold of an application. It determines the scalability and functionality of the end product. Hence, it must be built strategically. Here are tips on how to create clean architecture. Read on.

Today’s generation of consumers is after the most convenient products. With brands innovating left and right, the average customer’s selection has dramatically increased. This, in turn, poses a bigger challenge for brands to up their innovation game.

And if you’re a non-technical founder, it may seem like you’re at a disadvantage from competitors with better tech resources. Fret not, it takes more than just having the goods to innovate. In fact, there have been many business applications that failed simply due to non-technical reasons. The most common mistake is not understanding what the users (a.k.a. customers) want. They want an application that actually works and delivers on its promise. And how does it do that? Two words: software architecture.

So, if you want to get ahead of the race, you need to start from the deep end. The system behind your application plays a huge role in its effectiveness and longevity. Hence, this is where you’ve got to invest bigger resources. But before that, let’s lay out the foundation. Let’s learn what software architecture truly is and for what it’s used.

What is Software Architecture?

Software architecture refers to the technical and operational structure that makes up a software solution. It optimizes all the elements and attributes that influence the performance of an application. Basically, it’s the back end of your application. It’s the hidden side of the app or website that’s making all the processes and functions possible.

There are two popular kinds of software architecture: monolith and microservices. Back in the day, monolith used to be the default model for development. However, with the emergence and popularity of cloud computing, microservices architecture was introduced. Today, there’s still an ongoing debate between microservices vs monolith architecture. The tech world is yet to determine which is the most effective model since both have their unique strengths.

Why is it important?

For an application to work properly, its software architecture must be able to carry and process heavy workloads. Factors such as speed, security, and manageability are crucial. Think of it like a car’s engine. When it’s in good shape, you’ll have a smooth-running vehicle. Likewise, if there are internal problems, it will translate into your car’s functions.

Tips on Building Software Architecture

Now that we have a better understanding of what software architecture is for, it’s time to learn how to create it. Here are tips on creating a clean software architecture.

1. Take your time building it

In business, the development team is often pressured to release the software to the market faster. To shorten the development time, the team compromises on the quality check to employ features quickly. Consequently, this builds up technical debt. Technical debt is the cost of reworking software. The team will have to dig out the mess they’ve made from the start. This, of course, slows development and wastes time and money.

To avoid technical debt in the future, let the team take their time in development. The layers beneath your software have to be organized or else it’s going to become more complicated to fix in the future. In the same way, you’d lay out a building, you need just as strong a foundation. Alternatively, you can identify your minimum viable product if time is your concern.

2. Prioritize architecture over behavior

In Robert Martin’s book Clean Architecture, he highlights two values about a software product. One is behavior and the other is architecture. Behavior refers to the commercial use of the product and how it’s saving money or bringing profit to the business’ stakeholders. This means it’s working as required. Architecture, on the other hand, refers to a software’s ability and flexibility to change.

Consider the long-term perspective in your software architecture design. It should be built to adapt to a dynamic and rapidly changing tech industry. Hence, if the software is difficult to update, it will become obsolete.

3. Employ automation testing

One way to avoid technical debt is to test the product properly. Automation testing is a form of safety net in development. It’s a thorough comparison of the software outcome and its requirements. There are several types of automation tests (unit, component, functional, system, end-to-end) that help in refactoring on different levels.

If you refactor a single class, the unit tests on the API for that class will assist you in ensuring you haven’t damaged its behavior. If you’re conducting a more complicated refactoring, you’ll require upper-level tests to validate it.

4. Document it properly

The last key factor is documentation. Everyone on the dev team should be able to understand the architecture they are contributing to. This way, when they code a new feature, they’ll be sure of where to add it. Having a good illustration of the architecture helps avoid mistakes that could break the entire system or result in spaghetti code. Make sure your module indicates all dependencies of the system, as well as its communication channels.

The abovementioned tips are just a few fundamental practices in building clean architecture. There are multiple software architecture design trends that you can also employ in your system.

Build your Development Team

Your software development team plays a big role in creating your software architecture. They should be able to fulfill the project requirements and ensure the longevity of the product. Again, architecture has to be prioritized over behavior. Your team not only needs to come up with immediate solutions, but they also need to create a flexible and highly scalable system. So, you have to hire experts that can meet all the standards of building good software architecture.

Full Scale is an outsourcing software development company specializing in a variety of business solutions. We can assist you in finding and hiring the right people for the project. Based on your requirements, we’ll provide you with qualified and seasoned talents. Whether you want help in building software or selling it, we’ve got a team ready for you. We can collaborate with you in every stage of your business.

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