EP128: The Ultimate Software Architect Knowledge Map

This week’s system design refresher:

• The Ultimate Software Architect Knowledge Map

• Is PostgreSQL eating the database world?

• 11 steps to go from Junior to Senior Developer

• Tech Career Basic Requirements

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The Ultimate Software Architect Knowledge Map

Becoming a Software Architect is a journey where you are always learning. But there are some things you must definitely strive to know.

1. Master a Programming Language
   Look to master 1-2 programming languages such as Java, Python, Golang, JavaScript, etc.
   

2. Tools
   Build proficiency with key tools such as GitHub, Jenkins, Jira, ELK, Sonar, etc.
   

3. Design Principles
   Learn about important design principles such as OOPS, Clean Code, TDD, DDD, CAP Theorem, MVC Pattern, ACID, and GOF.
   

4. Architectural Principles
   Become proficient in multiple architectural patterns such as Microservices, Publish-Subscribe, Layered, Event-Driven, Client-Server, Hexagonal, etc.
   

5. Platform Knowledge
   Get to know about several platforms such as containers, orchestration, cloud, serverless, CDN, API Gateways, Distributed Systems, and CI/CD
   

6. Data Analytics
   Build a solid knowledge of data and analytics components like SQL and NoSQL databases, data streaming solutions with Kafka, object storage, data migration, OLAP, and so on.
   

7. Networking and Security
   Learn about networking and security concepts such as DNS, TCP, TLS, HTTPS, Encryption, JWT, OAuth, and Credential Management.
   

8. Supporting Skills
   Apart from technical, software architects also need several supporting skills such as decision-making, technology knowledge, stakeholder management, communication, estimation, leadership, etc.
   

Over to you - What else would you add to the roadmap?

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Tech Career Basic Requirements

Source: Aigent

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Is PostgreSQL eating the database world?

It seems that no matter what the use case, PostgreSQL supports it. When in doubt, you can simply use PostgreSQL.

1. TimeSeries
   PostgreSQL embraces Timescale, a powerful time-series database extension for efficient handling of time-stamped data.
   

2. Machine Learning
   With pgVector and PostgresML, Postgres can support machine learning capabilities and vector similarity searches.
   

3. OLAP
   Postgres can support OLAP with tools such as Hydra, Citus, and pg_analytics.
   

4. Derived
   Even derived databases such as DuckDB, FerretDB, CockroachDB, AlloyDB, YugaByte DB, Supabase, etc provide PostgreSQL.
   

5. GeoSpatial
   PostGIS extends PostgreSQL with geospatial capabilities, enabling you to easily store, query, and analyze geographic data.
   

6. Search
   Postgres extensions like pgroonga, ParadeDB, and ZomboDB provide full-text search, text indexing, and data parsing capabilities.
   

7. Federated
   Postgres seamlessly integrates with various data sources such as MongoDB, MySQL, Redis, Oracle, ParquetDB, SQLite, etc, enabling federated querying and data access.
   

8. Graph
   Apache AGE and EdgeDB are graph databases built on top of PostgreSQL. Also, pg_graphql is an extension that provides GraphQL support for Postgres.

Over to you: Have you seen any other use cases of PostgreSQL?

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11 steps to go from Junior to Senior Developer

1. Collaboration Tools
   Software development is a social activity. Learn to use collaboration tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, MS Teams, Zoom, etc.
   

2. Programming Languages
   Pick and master one or two programming languages. Choose from options like Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, Go, etc.
   

3. API Development
   Learn the ins and outs of API Development approaches such as REST, GraphQL, and gRPC.
   

4. Web Servers and Hosting
   Know about web servers as well as cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes
   

5. Authentication and Testing
   Learn how to secure your applications with authentication techniques such as JWTs, OAuth2, etc. Also, master testing techniques like TDD, E2E Testing, and Performance Testing
   

6. Databases
   Learn to work with relational (Postgres, MySQL, and SQLite) and non-relational databases (MongoDB, Cassandra, and Redis).
   

7. CI/CD
   Pick tools like GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or CircleCI to learn about continuous integration and continuous delivery.
   

8. Data Structures and Algorithms
   Master the basics of DSA with topics like Big O Notation, Sorting, Trees, and Graphs.
   

9. System Design
   Learn System Design concepts such as Networking, Caching, CDNs, Microservices, Messaging, Load Balancing, Replication, Distributed Systems, etc.
   

10. Design patterns
    Master the application of design patterns such as dependency injection, factory, proxy, observers, and facade.
    

11. AI Tools
    To future-proof your career, learn to leverage AI tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Langchain, and Prompt Engineering.

Over to you: What else would you add to the roadmap?

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