Architecture
Overview
Architecture is the set of decisions that shape how a system is organized, changed, and operated.
Why It Matters
Good architecture lowers the cost of future change and reduces the chance that one part of the system breaks another.
Core Concepts
- Boundaries matter.
- Dependencies flow in deliberate directions.
- Architecture should fit the team and the problem size.
Mental Models
Design for change, not just correctness. Ask what will be painful to modify later.
Best Practices
- Keep business logic near the right layer.
- Make dependencies explicit.
- Use the simplest structure that holds the current scale.
Common Mistakes
- Over-abstracting early.
- Letting folder structure become architecture by accident.
- Ignoring operational concerns.
Trade-offs
Cleaner architecture usually costs a little more upfront, but it often pays back during maintenance and team growth.
Decision Framework
flowchart TD
A[Need to design] --> B{Is the problem small?}
B -->|Yes| C[Keep it simple]
B -->|No| D[Define boundaries]
D --> E[Place dependencies carefully]
E --> F[Document the decision]Examples
- Separate UI code from data access code.
- Keep shared domain rules out of random components.
Checklists
- Are boundaries clear?
- Is the design reversible?
- Does the team understand the structure?
Senior Engineer Notes
Senior engineers prefer architecture that is honest about scale. Simple systems do not need heavy ceremony, but they do need clear boundaries.