The role of the Software Architect
What does a Software Architect do?
A software architect is a designer of software concepts and a supervisor of implementing these concepts.
Service Orientation is an example of a software concept where all communication between software occurs via services.
A software architect using the concept of Service Orientation will design a high-level view of how the software should look with services.
Besides selecting architectural patterns, software architects define technical standards, such as coding conventions, tools, and platforms. They evaluate new technologies, ensure system integration, and mitigate technical risks.
Software Architects collaborate closely with developers, project managers, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into robust architectural solutions.
Their role is critical during the planning and early development. Still, they often stay involved throughout the lifecycle to guide decisions, resolve architectural issues, and ensure the long-term health of the software system.
Software Architect vs Software Engnieer
The key difference between a software architect and a software engineer lies in their focus and scope of responsibilities.
A software architect primarily concerns themselves with software systems' high-level structure and design. They make strategic decisions about technologies, frameworks, and overall system architecture to ensure scalability, performance, and alignment with business objectives.
In contrast, a software engineer focuses on implementing and building the software based on the architect's designs. Engineers write code, develop features, fix bugs, and ensure the software functions as intended.
While software architects guide the "blueprint" of a system, software engineers bring that blueprint to life through detailed, hands-on development work.
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