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One line of working Code is Worth of specification
Allison Randal
DESign is A BEAuTiFul THing. A systematic, detailed presentation and review of a problem space and solution reveals errors and opportunities for improv Ement, sometimes in a startlingly dramatic. The specifications is important because they provide the pattern for building. Taking the time to think through the architecture are important, both on a macro level with an eye for interactions between Components and, on a micro level with an eye for behavior within a component.
Unfortunately it's far too easy-to-get wrapped up in the process of design, enthralled by architecture in abstract. The fact is, that specifications alone has no value. The ultimate goal of a software project is a production system. A software architect must always keep an eye on this goal, and remember that design are merely a means to an end, not an en D in itself. An architect-a sky-scraper who ignored the laws of physics to make the building more beautiful would soon regret it. Losing sight of the goal of working code spells serious trouble for any project.
Value the team members of who work on implementing your vision. Listen to them. When they has problems with the design, there's a good chance they ' re right and the design are wrong, or at least unclear. It ' s your job, in these cases, to modify the design to meet real-world constraints by working with your team members to D Etermine What works and what does is not. No design is perfect from the start; All designs need to be modified as they is implemented.
??? Things every software Architect should Know
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?? If you ' re also a developer on the project, value the time you spend writing code, and don ' t believe anyone who tells you I T ' s a distraction from your work as architect. Your vision of both macro and micro levels would be greatly enhanced by the time you spend in the belly of the Beast Bringi Ng it to life.
Allison Randal is chief architect and leads developer of the open source project Parrot. In more than years as a programmer, she had developed everything from games to linguistic analysis tools, E-commerce we Bsites, shipping fulfillment, compilers, and database replication systems; Worked as a language designer, project manager, conference organizer, editor, and consultant; Been president of an open source software Foundation; written, books; And founded a tech publish-ing company.
One line of working Code is Worth of specification