What Software Architects Do That Programmers DON'T

Thriving Technologist

How does being a software architect differ from a typical programmer? In this episode, I share the 10 aspects I've approached software architecture from that I learned over 20 years of doing it.

I was promoted to be a software architect at just 20 years old, and while I was qualified with some aspects of software engineering - I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. Being a great software architect takes a variety of skills that a typical software developer will also benefit from, but are actually essential to software architecture.

Yes, using coding patterns, knowing how to interview as a software architect, and making technology selections are required. But there are also other things that if you don't focus on, can hamper your ability to pursue a software architect role either at your current job, or the next one.

I hope this episode helps you understand that while there is some overlap between a software architect and a programmer, the less "fun" aspects of the job are actually essential to being a really great one.

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Chapter markers / timelinks:

(0:00) Introduction (0:51) 10 Aspects of Being a Software Architect (1:03) 1. Zoom In / Zoom Out (2:17) 2. Domain Sensitive (3:07) 3. Understand Tradeoffs (4:02) 4. Selfless Decision Maker (5:02) 5. Embrace Change (5:44) 6. Communicative Mastery (6:26) 7. Infrastructure Aware (7:40) 8. Strategic Coder (8:50) 9. Consider Scale (10:28) 10. Cost Sensitive (11:49) Episode Groove

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