Latest Posts - Page 54 of 194

March 29, 2022March 19, 2022 Architecture Patterns and Anti-Patterns

Statistical Bigotry – Placing An Incorrect Emphasis

This podcast season is a great excuse to highlight new anti-patterns. We look at a new one we call statistical bigotry in this episode. That is an excellent emotional word and a common challenge across many areas of problem-solving and debate. This anti-pattern appears when we give too much weight to our data and improperly use statistics. Statistical Bigotry Defined We use data and facts to support our decisions regularly. However, we can not blindly use data in this way. We need to ensure the basis for our decision is based on overall reality instead of a small subset. When we improperly use a small subset to assume the whole, we are committing statistical bigotry. The issue may arise from... Read more

March 24, 2022March 11, 2022 Architecture Patterns and Anti-Patterns

Stovepipe Enterprise – The Patchwork Anti-Pattern

We have highlighted many areas of quality software development. However, the stovepipe enterprise is a maintenance anti-pattern. This situation occurs when we build a system that has a high maintenance cost. Even worse, maintenance often requires to be done quickly and more as a patch than a build. Therefore, we produce a house of cards that becomes more fragile as time goes by. Stovepipe Enterprise Defined Stovepipes are historically a form of a kludge. Wood-burning stoves needed a way to get rid of the exhaust, and it goes through the pipe. However, the material often wears down a stovepipe quickly, and it is patched with whatever materials are available rather than replaced. We see this in software solutions when we... Read more

March 22, 2022March 11, 2022 Architecture Patterns and Anti-Patterns

Warm Bodies – A Subtraction By Addition Anti-pattern

The “warm bodies” anti-pattern is sometimes subtle. However, it can be frustrating and sink more than a project. This approach is based on the fallacy that more developers or resources will create better software sooner. Instead, the reality is closer to the idea of getting nine women to give birth to a baby in one month. Warm Bodies Defined This anti-pattern is an attempt to work faster or get a project back on track by adding resources. It often is identified by a manager hiring more team members to address complex or time-consuming parts of a project. Unfortunately, architecture is not immune to this. The challenge comes when the architecture is complex, and there is a temptation to fix that... Read more

March 17, 2022March 5, 2022 Architecture Patterns and Anti-Patterns

Vendor Lock-in : A Limiting Anti-Pattern

This episode covers the vendor lock-in anti-pattern. It is another one that we have seen before. However, it is slightly different when you apply it to software architecture. This situation is fascinating as we can fall into it thinking we are making the best decisions. However, comfort and ease are not always the best way to assess our solution. Vendor Lock-in Defined This anti-pattern occurs when we craft an architecture that hinges on a vendor or third-party product. Sometimes the vendor is an open-source tool or approach. While that is far better and can save us from being locked into their solution, it is still important to recognize. We will be better off when we are free to craft... Read more

March 15, 2022March 5, 2022 Architecture Patterns and Anti-Patterns

Reinvent The Wheel : An Anti-Pattern of Pride

This next anti-pattern is “reinvent the wheel.” It is not a rare issue in solving problems. However, it is still worth exploring. Knowledge is not enough to avoid it. Otherwise, it would be less common. Likewise, the speed of progress in technical solutions makes it a challenge to keep current and avoid this anti-pattern. Reinvent The Wheel Defined We see this in many ways. However, it always boils down to looking at a problem as a novel challenge, rather than something already solved. The anti-pattern can appear from ignorance through to a false sense of accomplishment by solving any problem. These lead us to be busy solving problems we could move past rather than productive. It is the height... Read more

March 10, 2022February 26, 2022 Architecture Patterns and Anti-Patterns

The Wolf Ticket Anti-Pattern: As In Wearing Sheep’s Clothing

Communication and consistency are key traits of patterns. Likewise, a lack of these creates anti-patterns like the wolf ticket. We all know that standards are helpful and a worthy pursuit. However, there are de facto standards that can cause us headaches. Let’s look at how a good intention can turn into an anti-pattern. A Wolf Ticket Definition A wolf ticket is not that different from smoke and mirrors. It is a standard or other conforming to rules where there is no enforcement. Buzz words are a common example. We see a word or phrase thrown around because it is the hot topic of the day. However, there is a lack of vetting or validation to ensure compliance. While people may... Read more