The Architecture Journal

Journal 19

Mapping Applications to the Cloud, by Darryl Chantry Will all applications run in the Cloud? Should you attempt to port all of your existing applications to the Cloud? Should all your new applications be developed in the Cloud? What is this Cloud thing, anyway? These are a few of the questions that arise whenever you start thinking about using cloud services.

A Language for Software Architecture, by J.D. Meier Building software applications involves many important decisions. By organizing these decisions as a language and a set of mental models, we can organize and share knowledge more effectively. Rather than a sea of information, we can quickly browse hot spots for relevant solutions.

Developing Parallel Programs , by Ranjan Sen, Ph.D. Parallel programming is becoming the mainstream paradigm in day-to-day information processing. Its aim is to build the fastest programs on parallel computers. This article shows how the methodologies for developing a parallel program can be put into integrated frameworks.

Enterprise Social Computing , by Kendrick Efta Starting small, certain enterprises reproduced the effects of consumer-focused social computing technologies within the firewall. As success stories are being seen and case studies take shape, organizations can begin to plan social computing investments that involve customers, partners, and external communities in order to harness all that collective intelligence.

A Pragmatic Approach to Describing Solution Architectures , by Mike Walker Production environments often fail to realize the solution architectures described in the documentation. In this article, we look at how we view, approach, and maintain architecture descriptions that will help guide decision making at the implementation stage.

Toward an Enterprise Business Motivation Model , by Nick Malik This article outlines a new structure that can be used to model a wide array of business motivations in context with the structure and activities of the business. Adopting this structure can support an effort toward greater enterprise architecture maturity.

Journal 17

Considerations for Designing Distributed Systems A discussion about the distributed-systems momentum, spotlighting its remaining challenges and considerations.

Architectural Patterns for Distributed Computing Lessons learned from years of field practice on service design, deployment, consumption, and operation.

Head in the Cloud, Feet on the Ground Eugenio and Gianpaolo cover a deep analysis of the trade-offs of distributed cloud computing.

Architecture Journal Profile: Microsoft Robotics Group Henrik Frystyk Nielsen and Tandy Trower are working to bring the age of personal robotics to the horizon. Find out what they have to say about their careers and the future of computing.

On Distributed Embedded Systems An exploration of how DES differs from traditional distributed systems, as well as its market opportunity, challenges, and scenarios.

Using Events in Highly Distributed Architectures SOA succeeded in getting loose coupling at a technical level; now, let’s go for the same at a business-process level.

Caching in the Distributed Environment Responsiveness through caching techniques—a collateral aspect of distributed systems with direct impact on user experience.

Distributed Applications in Manufacturing Environments Beyond the limits of memory-based objects, here is an architecture paradigm to deal with concrete, real-world ones.

Journal 15

We Don't Need No Architects by Joseph Hofstader

This article presents a defense of the practice of architecture in software development, and examines widely held perceptions of architects and some of the mistakes that they make that contribute to negative perceptions.

Becoming an Architect in a System Integrator by Amit Unde

In this article, the author attempts to crystallize the wisdom that he has gathered from his work in a program in which he grooms aspiring architects into full-fledged architects.

Architecture Journal Profile: Paul Preiss

Paul Preiss is the founder of a nonprofit group called IASA (International Association of Software Architects). Read about the goal of the organization, as well as some of Paul's thoughts about the profession.

The Open Group's Architect Certification Programs by Leonard Fehskens

How do you know if someone is really an architect? This article describes The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF); the TOGAF certification program; and certification levels, programs, and process.

The Need for an Architectural Body of Knowledge by Miha Kralj

This article covers why an Architectural Body of Knowledge (ArcBOK) is an important building block in professionalization of IT Architecture, and how the Microsoft Certified Architect community drives the creation of an ArcBOK through its Special Interest Group.

A Study of Architect Roles by IASA Sweden by Daniel Akenine

In this article, we examine the need for IT architects, describe a study by IASA Sweden to better understand IT architecture, and discuss four architect roles that IASA Sweden recommends for a typical organization.

The Softer Side of the Architect by Joe Shirey

This article outlines a framework that the author developed for defining "soft skills" and strategies for the architect, based on his experiences and interactions with architects that he admires.

An A-Z Guide to Being an Architect by Mark Bloodworth and Marc Holmes

These days, an architect has a lot of diverse responsibilities. In this article, the authors provide a handy A-Z guide to being an architect, and wish that all your architectures be "n-tier".