Get started

Get started

Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.

• REST (REpresentational State Transfer)

  REST (REpresentational State Transfer) is an architectural style for developing web services and systems that can easily communicate with each other. Continue Reading

• Spring Framework (Spring)

  The Spring Framework (Spring) is an open source software development framework that provides infrastructure support for building Java-based applications on any deployment platform. Continue Reading

• web services

  Web services are a type of internet software that use standardized messaging protocols and are made available from an application service provider's web server for a client or other web-based programs to use. Continue Reading

• application architecture

  An application architecture is a structural map of how a software application is assembled and how applications interact with each other to meet business or user requirements. Continue Reading

• EAI (enterprise application integration)

  Enterprise application integration (EAI) is the process of connecting an organization's business applications, services, databases and other systems into an integrating framework that facilitates communications and interoperability. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • REST (REpresentational State Transfer)
  • Spring Framework (Spring)
  • web services
  • application architecture

  • EAI (enterprise application integration)
  • event handler
  • state management
  • API management

  View All Definitions

• event handler

  In programming, an event handler is a callback routine that operates asynchronously once an event takes place.Continue Reading

• Using bounded context for effective domain-driven design

  Domain-driven design helps organizations develop software focused on key business needs. But to do so, architects need to understand the fundamentals of bounded context.Continue Reading

• state management

  Application state management is the process of maintaining knowledge of an application's inputs across multiple related data flows that form a complete business transaction -- or a session -- to understand the condition of the app at any given ...Continue Reading

• API management

  API management is the process by which an organization creates, oversees and controls application programming interfaces (APIs) in a secure, scalable environment.Continue Reading

• API lifecycle management

  API lifecycle management is a part of application programming interface management that supports the design, development and maintenance of APIs, including their transitioning from design and testing to a production environment.Continue Reading

• Object-oriented vs. functional programming explained

  While plenty of developers entertain the idea of adopting a functional programming model, it's important to first know exactly how it differs from the object-oriented approach.Continue Reading

• The 5 SOLID principles of object-oriented design explained

  In this primer on SOLID, we'll examine the five principles this development ideology embodies, the practices they encourage and the reasons these concepts matter.Continue Reading

• How to make a strong business case for software projects

  Every software project proposal requires in-depth research into the technical aspects at play, but the business case for the project should tone down the tech talk.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of a layered architecture pattern

  Layered architecture patterns provide a consistent and secure way to organize code when implemented correctly. However, the way those layers interact should remain a top concern.Continue Reading

• interoperability

  Interoperability refers to the degree to which a software system, devices, applications or other entity can connect and communicate with other entities in a coordinated manner without effort from the end user.Continue Reading

• Comparing MERN vs. MEAN stacks for web app development

  While MERN and MEAN stacks share many common elements, their respective use of React and Angular is a defining factor in choosing one or the other.Continue Reading

• Elixir vs. Clojure for functional programming at scale

  While they don't have the prestige of JavaScript or Python, Elixir and Clojure are making a name for themselves when it comes to functional programming at scale.Continue Reading

• WSO2

  WSO2 is a middleware vendor that sells open source application program interface (API) management software.Continue Reading

• Prometheus

  Prometheus is an open source monitoring and alerting toolkit for microservices and containers that provides flexible queries and real-time notifications.Continue Reading

• The basics of working with pseudocode

  Writing pseudocode is a great way to practice problem-solving skills, a crucial aspect in programming. It helps developers conceptualize and communicate their ideas.Continue Reading

• The growing link between microservices and WebAssembly

  The microservices architecture has become popular, but it runs into complexity and cost challenges. Implementing WebAssembly can alleviate those worries.Continue Reading

• Serverless vs. containers: Which one for microservices apps?

  How do you know when microservices should run in containers vs. serverless functions? A big factor is what you plan to do with your microservices.Continue Reading

• What are microservices? Everything you need to know

  Microservices, or microservices architecture, is an approach to the design and implementation of enterprise applications in which a large application is built from modular components or services.Continue Reading

• Understanding the role of polymorphism in OOP

  Polymorphism is used in OOP to allow developers to write more efficient code and redefine methods for derived classes; however, it could raise real-time performance issues.Continue Reading

• Understanding protocol buffers vs. JSON

  Protocol buffers have some compelling advantages over JSON when it comes to sending data between internal services. But is it really a replacement for JSON?Continue Reading

• API economy

  The API economy refers to the set of business models and practices designed around the use of application programming interfaces (APIs) in today's digital economy.Continue Reading

• Scripting vs. programming languages: Where they differ

  Choosing a programming language is often dictated by the problem the programmer wants to solve and the compute goal that a language is designed to achieve.Continue Reading

• Kotlin vs. Scala: Which one is right for your project?

  As general-purpose programming languages, both Scala and Kotlin have a lot to offer. But that doesn't mean their uses cases are the same.Continue Reading

• Architecting beyond microservices and monoliths

  A recent architectural change tied to Amazon's Prime Video service could help enterprise application teams understand their own microservices vs. monolithic architecture choices.Continue Reading

• Business Process Modeling Language (BPML)

  Business Process Modeling Language (BPML) is an XML standard metalanguage used to outline business processes in an easy-to-understand way.Continue Reading

• What to know about building microservices with ASP.NET Core

  It's optimized for containerization, integrates with the cloud and works on multiple platforms. Does ASP.NET Core deserve a place in your development shop?Continue Reading

• Rust vs. C++: Differences and use cases

  C++ was mature before Rust even existed. Does that mean developers should switch from C++ to Rust? Not always.Continue Reading

• 3 critical stops on the back-end developer roadmap

  When it comes to acquiring the skills needed to be a proficient back-end developer, there are no shortcuts. Some of the topics to know will be obvious, others might not be.Continue Reading

• Understanding Roc: Functional and separate from the runtime

  Though it's a newer programming language with a small development community, Roc is meant to be an easy-to-read language that incorporates a pure, functional programming approach.Continue Reading

• Webhooks explained simply: What they do and how they work

  Webhooks make significant use of basic API call mechanisms, while also setting event triggers in a few clicks of a button without the overhead of heavy request-response structures.Continue Reading

• The basics of TOGAF certification and some ways to prepare

  TOGAF offers architects a chance to learn the principles behind implementing an enterprise-grade software architecture, including how to align business goals with IT capabilities.Continue Reading

• A quick intro to the MACH architecture strategy

  While not particularly prescriptive, alignment with a MACH architecture strategy can help software teams ensure application designs make proper use of current technologies.Continue Reading

• How to maintain polyglot persistence for microservices

  Managing microservice data may be difficult without polyglot persistence in place. Examine how the strategy works, its challenges and some options for polyglot databases.Continue Reading

• 5 noteworthy challenges of automotive software development

  Modern cars are loaded with technology, but creating in-vehicle applications isn't always a cakewalk. Here are five unique challenges developers face with automotive software.Continue Reading

• Breaking down the cornerstone components of OOP

  Object-oriented programming changed the game for those working on complex software systems. But what are the key elements that define this prominent approach to development?Continue Reading

• 5 types of software architecture design worth knowing

  While it's impossible to identify any software design style as the 'most important' to know, there are five major patterns with which all architects should arguably become familiar.Continue Reading

• Microservices vs. headless architecture: A brief breakdown

  Microservices and headless architectures are both techniques capable of providing flexibility and modularity, but how do you make a wise choice between them?Continue Reading

• How to create a smart contract using Ethereum

  Solidity is a powerful language for programming and deploying smart contracts on the Ethereum network. Here's how to get started, with advice on choosing the best tools.Continue Reading

• The past, present and future of AI coding tools

  Though AI-assisted software development has seemingly hit a historical turning point, things like intelligent code completion, static code analysis arguably led the way.Continue Reading

• business capability

  A business capability is the ability of an organization to achieve a specific outcome or objective.Continue Reading

• API security

  Application program interface (API) security refers to policies and procedures that protect APIs against malicious attacks and vulnerabilities.Continue Reading

• data type

  In software programming, data type refers to the type of value a variable has and what type of mathematical, relational or logical operations can be applied without causing an error.Continue Reading

• state diagram (state machine diagram or statechart diagram)

  A state diagram (also known as a state machine or statechart diagram) is an illustration of all the possible behavioral states a software system component may exhibit and the various state changes it's predicted to undergo over the course of its ...Continue Reading

• Falcor vs. GraphQL: The differences that matter

  While both essentially represent two approaches to a similar end goal, there are some key differences between GraphQL and Falcor that are worth understanding.Continue Reading

• middleware

  Middleware is software that is used to bridge the gap between applications and operating systems.Continue Reading

• service-oriented architecture (SOA)

  Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is a software development model that makes services reusable and lets them communicate across different platforms and languages to form new applications.Continue Reading

• CQRS (command query responsibility segregation)

  Command query responsibility segregation (CQRS) is a programming design pattern that treats retrieving data and changing data differently.Continue Reading

• A quick look at the Carbon programming language

  Carbon is an experimental programming language built to stand on the shoulders of C++ -- but with a new outlook on memory safety, threading and functional programming.Continue Reading

• Ways to get by when Waterfall development reigns

  Against all odds, the Waterfall methodology maintains a tight grip over countless numbers of software development teams. Fortunately, there are a few ways to make the most of it.Continue Reading

• The raw -- yet burgeoning -- potential of coreless banking

  While coreless banking is still a novel concept, it shows strong potential to liberate banks from the rigid software systems that have dominated the industry for decades.Continue Reading

• The fundamentals of achieving high cohesion and low coupling

  It's easy to say, 'high cohesion, low coupling,' but is it as easy to put into practice? We examine some of the basics behind cohesion, coupling and the right balance between them.Continue Reading

• client-side framework

  A client-side framework is a software development framework that focuses on executing application processes on end user devices rather than the application's own server.Continue Reading

• What developers need to know about open banking

  Open banking has made financial transactions easier and more secure for those with multiple banking accounts; however, vulnerabilities within open APIs raise security concerns.Continue Reading

• dependency injection

  In object-oriented programming (OOP) software design, dependency injection is the process of supplying a resource that a given piece of code requires.Continue Reading

• API testing

  API testing is a type of software testing that analyzes an application program interface (API) to verify that it fulfills its expected functionality, security, performance and reliability.Continue Reading

• native code

  Native code is binary data compiled to run on a processor, such as an Intel x86-class processor.Continue Reading

• polyglot persistence

  Polyglot persistence is a conceptual term that refers to the use of different data storage approaches and technologies to support the unique storage requirements of various data types that live within enterprise applications.Continue Reading

• GraphQL

  GraphQL is an open source query language that describes how a client should request information through an API.Continue Reading

• enterprise architecture framework

  An enterprise architecture framework (or simply EA framework) is the collection of processes, templates and tools that software teams use to plan and build large, enterprise-grade application architecture systems.Continue Reading

• componentization (component-based development)

  Componentization is an approach to software development that involves breaking software down into identifiable and reusable pieces that application developers can independently build and deploy.Continue Reading

• 5 ways to survive the challenges of monolithic architectures

  Those unable to make the jump to microservices still need a way to improve architectural reliability. Here are five ways software teams can improve a monolith's reliability.Continue Reading

• What are the types of APIs and their differences?

  Enterprises increasingly rely on APIs to interact with customers and partners. It all starts with knowing which type of API is right for your needs.Continue Reading

• How architects can use napkin math to forecast performance

  Although modern software systems can be inordinately complex, architects can still use simple napkin math to glean quick overviews of system performance and architecture alignment.Continue Reading

• source code

  Source code is the fundamental component of a computer program that is created by a programmer, often written in the form of functions, descriptions, definitions, calls, methods and other operational statements.Continue Reading

• gRPC

  GRPC is a high-performance remote procedure call framework released by Google in August 2016.Continue Reading

• data dictionary

  A data dictionary is a collection of descriptions of the data objects or items in a data model to which programmers and others can refer.Continue Reading

• application programming interface (API)

  An application programming interface (API) is code that enables two software programs to communicate.Continue Reading

• A primer on core development team structure concepts

  To establish the right development team size, managers must look at each member's responsibilities and communication paths, as well as know when to split teams.Continue Reading

• feature flagging

  Feature flagging is a simple programming design pattern that allows developers to turn application features on or off without having to redeploy or change code already in production.Continue Reading

• 12 API security best practices to protect your business

  As with any software development cycle, API security must be built in from the start. Follow these guidelines to design, deploy and protect your APIs.Continue Reading

• The basics, benefits and risks of cell-based architecture

  Developers who work with microservices may find the concept familiar, but cell-based architecture takes its own spin on modularity to address large-scale system failover issues.Continue Reading

• 3 common CQRS pattern problems, and how teams can avoid them

  While CQRS can provide a lot of value when it comes to structuring an event-driven architecture, improper practices can cause this pattern to be more of a burden than a blessing.Continue Reading

• Why API naming conventions matter, and how to master the art

  Naming APIs can be a daunting process, since it requires a balance between simplicity and clarity. JJ Geewax, author of 'API Design Patterns,' has some advice for developers.Continue Reading

• 10 application performance metrics and how to measure them

  You've deployed your application, now what? To keep your application performing well, you need to track various metrics. Take a look at these ten critical KPIs.Continue Reading

• parser

  In computer technology, a parser is a program that's usually part of a compiler. It receives input in the form of sequential source program instructions, interactive online commands, markup tags or some other defined interface.Continue Reading

• A 7-point language comparison of Ballerina vs. Golang

  This comparison takes a look at both Ballerina and Golang, including their support for high-level programming, libraries, built-in management features and community support.Continue Reading

• How viable is it to create microservices in Python?

  Python offers microservices developers access to advanced scripting, embedded testing and plugin tooling. But is it a good fit for you? And what are the alternatives if it isn't?Continue Reading

• Frameworks for an observability maturity model

  Observability helps developers and IT operations teams identify and fix system issues. And with the right setup, it can improve on itself over time to catch potential problems.Continue Reading

• Can you really use a shared database for microservices?

  Since its emergence as a mainstream development style, experts have debated the wisdom of using a shared database for microservices versus providing a database per service.Continue Reading

• system of systems (SoS)

  A system of systems (SoS) is the collection of multiple, independent systems in context as part of a larger, more complex system.Continue Reading

• SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)

  SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a message protocol that enables the distributed elements of an application to communicate.Continue Reading

• 6 ways cloud-native and cloud-agnostic architecture differ

  While development teams should carefully weigh the tradeoffs between cloud-native and cloud-agnostic architectures, they don't necessarily have to commit to just one.Continue Reading

• object

  In object-oriented programming (OOP), objects are the things you think about first in designing a program and they are also the units of code that are eventually derived from the process.Continue Reading

• The basics of working with declarative programming languages

  While imperative programming is often a go-to, the declarative approach has proved useful in the face of demands for complex, feature-heavy business applications.Continue Reading

• Micro apps vs. microservices: What developers should know

  On the surface, the contrast between micro apps and microservices simply seems a matter of front-end vs. back-end concerns. But this isn't the only difference worth knowing.Continue Reading

• An intro to cloud-native microservices and how to build them

  While there are a variety of ways to develop cloud-native microservices, focus on strategies that enable as much agility, resiliency and development simplicity as possible.Continue Reading

• Resource Description Framework (RDF)

  The Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a general framework for representing interconnected data on the web.Continue Reading

• WebLogic

  Oracle WebLogic Server is a leading e-commerce online transaction processing (OLTP) platform, developed to connect users in distributed computing production environments and to facilitate the integration of mainframe applications with distributed ...Continue Reading

• SPML (Services Provisioning Markup Language)

  Services Provisioning Markup Language (SPML) is an open source XML-based standard that facilitates the exchange of account provisioning information among applications, services and organizations.Continue Reading

• BPEL (Business Process Execution Language)

  BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) is an XML-based language that allows web services, APIs and human processes in a service-oriented architecture (SOA) to interconnect and share data in a business workflow.Continue Reading

• Eclipse (Eclipse Foundation)

  Eclipse is a free, Java-based development platform known for its plugins that allow developers to develop and test code written in other programming languages.Continue Reading

• BSA | The Software Alliance

  BSA | The Software Alliance is an advocate for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive economic growth.Continue Reading

• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

  Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a protocol that one program can use to request a service from a program located in another computer on a network without having to understand the network's details.Continue Reading

• foo (in software programming)

  Foo (pronounced FOO) is a term used by programmers as a placeholder for a value that can change depending on conditions or on information passed to the program.Continue Reading

• open API (public API)

  Review this definition to learn about open APIs, also known as a public APIs, including their associated benefits, industry use cases and unique attributes.Continue Reading