# Dev Details Big-picture software architecture, low-level details, and how they're entangled. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## Binary search finds things fast DevFeed: [Binary search finds things fast]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2024-08-13T07:55:55Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Algorithm](), [Programming]() Tags: [algorithm](), [array](), [binary-search](), [book](), [example](), [interactive]() ### AI overview A tutorial explaining binary search, an efficient algorithm for finding an item's position in a sorted array by repeatedly halving the search range. It covers the requirement that the array be sorted, the search steps, and use cases including checking values, finding occurrences, and determining insertion points. ### Source excerpt I wrote a small interactive book to teach binary search. ## Design is about the abstractions DevFeed: [Design is about the abstractions]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2024-08-05T15:55:48Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [abstraction](), [Architecture & Design](), [software-architecture](), [API](), [interfaces]() Tags: [abstraction](), [api](), [architecture](), [interface](), [software-architecture](), [software-design](), [software-engineering]() ### AI overview The article explains how abstraction helps software and house design by hiding implementation details, defining interfaces and APIs, and indicating when a design contains enough detail to stop. ### Source excerpt Abstractions simplify designs and tell us when to stop designing. ## How coupling distinguishes monoliths, microservices, and serverless architectures DevFeed: [How coupling distinguishes monoliths, microservices, and serverless architectures]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2024-01-19T05:42:25Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Architecture & Design](), [Microservice](), [Microservices](), [Serverless](), [Databases](), [DynamoDB]() Tags: [coupling](), [database](), [distributed](), [dynamodb](), [microservices](), [monolith](), [serverless]() ### AI overview This article examines how to distinguish monoliths, microservices, and serverless architectures. It argues that deployment coupling and dependencies matter more than the number of repositories, containers, lambdas, teams, or database servers. Applications that must be redeployed together are described as parts of a distributed monolith, while microservices are characterized by how tightly coupled they are to dependencies, one another, and data. ### Source excerpt Or are they? ## Design context is more important than a detailed solution DevFeed: [Design context is more important than a detailed solution]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-12-10T06:29:25Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [context](), [implementation](), [Software Engineering](), [Requirements]() Tags: [autonomy](), [context](), [decision-making](), [flexibility](), [implementation](), [software-design]() ### AI overview The article argues that software design should prioritize sufficient context over detailed, rigid solutions. Because requirements and knowledge change during implementation, lightweight design documents should align stakeholders, explain the problem and expected outcomes, and give teams enough direction to adapt autonomously. ### Source excerpt We will never have enough information before implementation to be able to design a perfect solution. Inevitably, what we know will change as we implement. ## Balancing delivery speed and high-quality code DevFeed: [Balancing delivery speed and high-quality code]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-09-22T23:17:08Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [Testing](), [Code quality](), [Tech Debt]() Tags: [quality](), [tdd](), [tech-debt](), [testing]() ### AI overview The article argues that delivery speed and code quality can be balanced by envisioning the desired end state, working backward through milestones, and taking deliberate shortcuts with known tradeoffs. It presents behavior-focused tests written alongside code as the main way to deliver faster while maintaining quality, and cautions that poor or absent tests increase delivery friction over time. ### Source excerpt When building out new features, how do you balance speed of delivery with implementing higher quality yet more time-consuming code? ## Roundup: Travel, career advice, microservices, and architecture principles DevFeed: [Roundup: Travel, career advice, microservices, and architecture principles]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-08-14T23:02:35Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Architecture & Design](), [Development](), [Microservice](), [Artificial Intelligence]() Tags: [ai](), [architecture](), [development](), [microservices]() ### AI overview A weekly roundup covering remote-team travel, design patterns, career advice, SQL, microservices tools, artificial intelligence and architecture principles. It highlights how shared architecture principles can streamline development and improve quality when teams are aligned on them. ### Source excerpt Posts from week 2 of August ## Architecture Principles streamline development DevFeed: [Architecture Principles streamline development]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-08-10T08:26:21Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Development](), [Software Engineering](), [Software](), [decision-making]() Tags: [architecture](), [autonomy](), [decision-making](), [design](), [development-process](), [quality](), [reliability](), [software-development](), [user-experience]() ### AI overview The article explains that shared architectural principles can align developers, teams, and business leaders around software decisions. It argues that this alignment simplifies development, supports team autonomy, reduces technical debt, and improves software quality, reliability, scalability, and user experience. ### Source excerpt Architecture Principles guide the development, design, and operation of software systems. ## Even if you're unaware of patterns, you're using them DevFeed: [Even if you're unaware of patterns, you're using them]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-07-22T21:19:50Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [coding](), [Code](), [Software]() Tags: [developers](), [mistakes](), [patterns](), [productivity](), [repository-pattern]() ### AI overview The article argues that developers often use established software patterns without recognizing them. It recommends identifying and applying patterns pragmatically to learn from prior experience, avoid repeating mistakes, and improve shared understanding and productivity. ### Source excerpt Ignoring patterns is a great way to repeat past mistakes ## Driving software design forward DevFeed: [Driving software design forward]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-07-20T05:10:27Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Architecture & Design](), [software-architecture](), [Software Engineering](), [decision-making]() Tags: [architect](), [architecture](), [decision-making](), [engineering](), [software-architecture](), [software-design]() ### AI overview The article argues that architects should facilitate the software architecture process rather than own most design work. Engineers should drive designs according to their scope, with one Driver responsible for moving the project forward, coordinating decision-making, and aligning participants on problems, needs, constraints, risks, solutions, and impacts. ### Source excerpt The last person I'd let design is me, the Architect ## Algorithm-focused technical interviews can overlook application development skills DevFeed: [Algorithm-focused technical interviews can overlook application development skills]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-07-08T20:12:06Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Programming](), [Application Development](), [LeetCode](), [Algorithms, Complexity](), [Data structures](), [Development]() Tags: [algorithms](), [challenges](), [complexity](), [interview](), [interviews](), [order](), [technical-interview](), [time]() ### AI overview This opinion article argues that LeetCode-style algorithm interviews can produce false signals because they assess algorithm problem solving and Big-O analysis while overlooking the broader skills needed for application development. It suggests that developing applications is the way to build those skills. ### Source excerpt Interviews that focus on algorithms get false signals and overlook qualified candidates ## I wanted to design buildings, but I'm a software architect DevFeed: [I wanted to design buildings, but I'm a software architect]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-06-26T15:00:29Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Architecture & Design](), [software-architecture](), [Website](), [Computer science](), [Web Development]() Tags: [architecture](), [coding](), [computer-science](), [software](), [software-architecture](), [web](), [website]() ### AI overview The author describes moving from architectural drafting to software development after helping an architecture firm's abandoned house-plan website. The experience showed them that coding could provide direct business value, eventually leading them to study computer science and pursue software architecture while retaining an interest in building and interior design. ### Source excerpt Throughout high school, I was interested in building architecture 🏠. ## Generating application code from tests with AI DevFeed: [Generating application code from tests with AI]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-06-14T03:39:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Development](), [Code](), [ChatGPT](), [PyCharm](), [Poetry](), [plantuml]() Tags: [ai](), [and-best-practices](), [chatgpt](), [code](), [poetry](), [practical](), [pycharm](), [tests]() ### AI overview Part 5 of a series demonstrates generating application code for a URL shortening service from existing tests and design documents using ChatGPT and the CodeGPT plugin for PyCharm. The generated code was close to correct but required corrections and refactoring. ### Source excerpt Part 5 of a practical example of using AI for coding ## Generating tests with AI DevFeed: [Generating tests with AI]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-06-14T03:38:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [coding](), [Testing](), [ChatGPT](), [Test-driven development](), [Python](), [Redis]() Tags: [ai](), [chatgpt](), [coding](), [practical](), [python](), [redis](), [testing]() ### AI overview Part 4 of a practical series demonstrating how AI can help generate tests for a URL shortening service. The article uses a design document and style guide with ChatGPT, then revises the tests to cover redirection, missing short URLs, URL uniqueness, and isolated Redis-backed storage. ### Source excerpt Part 4 of a practical example of using AI for coding ## Diagrams and API design with AI DevFeed: [Diagrams and API design with AI]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-06-14T03:37:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [coding](), [OpenAPI Specification](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [ChatGPT](), [plantuml]() Tags: [ai](), [api-design](), [best-practices](), [coding](), [example](), [openapi](), [plantuml]() ### AI overview Part 3 of a practical series demonstrates using ChatGPT to visualize a URL shortening service design with a PlantUML sequence diagram and generate an OpenAPI specification. It compares ChatGPT 3.5 and ChatGPT 4 for these tasks and explains how an API-first specification supports parallel UI and server development. ### Source excerpt Part 3 of a practical example of using AI for coding ## Designing software with AI DevFeed: [Designing software with AI]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-06-14T03:36:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](), [Software](), [coding](), [App](), [prompt](), [prompting](), [service](), [ChatGPT](), [Code Challenge](), [client]() Tags: [ai](), [analytics](), [application](), [chatgpt](), [coding](), [guide](), [mapping](), [practical](), [prompt](), [prompting](), [real-world](), [service](), [software]() ### AI overview Part 2 of a practical series showing how to use AI as a collaborator when designing software. The article uses a URL shortener as a practical example and demonstrates how ChatGPT 3.5 guides problem-context and use-case discussions, with ChatGPT 4 producing better results in a test run. ### Source excerpt Part 2 of a practical example of using AI for coding ## A practical example of using AI for coding DevFeed: [A practical example of using AI for coding]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-06-14T03:34:57Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [ai-coding](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [Development](), [coding](), [Programming](), [pair\_programming]() Tags: [ai](), [ai-coding](), [coding](), [developing](), [example](), [pair-programming](), [practical](), [programming]() ### AI overview A practical tutorial on using ChatGPT and other large language models in software development. It presents an end-to-end application walkthrough and recommends treating AI as a coding companion while remaining engaged, precise, and able to review the generated code. ### Source excerpt An end-to-end walkthrough of designing, developing, and testing a simple application with the help of AI. ## Adopting the DACI Framework for Software Decision-Making DevFeed: [Adopting the DACI Framework for Software Decision-Making]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mike Published: 2023-05-23T20:40:14Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dev Details]() Topics: [decision-making](), [Architecture & Design](), [Software Engineering](), [Development]() Tags: [architecture](), [collaboration](), [decision-making](), [efficiency](), [templates](), [transparency]() ### AI overview This article presents an accepted Any Decision Record for adopting the DACI framework in a software team. It explains the roles of Driver, Approvers, Contributors, and Informed, and compares DACI with RACI and RAPID. ### Source excerpt An ADR for Streamline Decision Making