Software architecture

Architecture is essential for the long-term success of your application. At Significa, we believe that decisions aren’t set in stone; they can evolve. However, some changes can be costly, so architectural choices need careful consideration. These decisions often involve structural elements that are not easily modified, meaning that during the initial project discussions, we effectively set the foundation for the project's future.

Good architecture is crucial because, even with well-developed features, performance can degrade over time. Poor architecture can lead to significant slowdowns.

Benefits of Good Architecture:

• Happy developers.

• Quality systems.

• Maintainable codebase.

Always prioritise simplicity from the start. Don’t get overly ambitious about scalability; not every piece of software will become a multi-million-user platform. Starting simple makes it easier to refactor or evolve into a more complex structure than trying to adapt an already complicated one.

To architect a system effectively, you must first analyse the requirements and grasp the product concept. We typically create a high-level entity-relation diagram to outline the product's structure before making technical decisions. This approach benefits non-technical team members, providing them with a clear product overview without requiring in-depth technical knowledge.

Once the architecture is established, it’s beneficial to create an architecture diagram that outlines each component of the system and their relationships. This visual representation aids in understanding the technical architecture. Additionally, it's important to remember key considerations related to Back-end persistence and Software infrastructure as you develop your architecture.