Software architecture courses online can help you design, develop, and maintain complex software systems. But how do you choose the right course for your needs and goals? In this article, we will share some tips and criteria to help you evaluate and select software architecture courses online for your professional development.
Software architecture is the high-level structure and design of a software system. It defines how the system components interact, communicate, and collaborate to achieve the system goals. Software architecture also considers the quality attributes, such as performance, security, scalability, and reliability, that the system must satisfy. Software architecture is a crucial part of software project management, as it influences the cost, risk, and feasibility of the project.
If architecture includes azure, google cloud or azure. Leave it!!! It is too expensive! Go with a dedicated hosting environment and control your own destiny
Typically, software development involves specializing in a programming language while relying on others to manage physical infrastructure and software/APIs. However, I have found that taking an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model approach (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model) can be highly effective. Understanding the layer you are working in and adjacent layers can aid in developing software architecture that integrates well. For example, when creating an application for one million or more users, physical layers must be considered to ensure optimal scalability. Choosing between on-premise hardware/services versus cloud-based architecture can significantly impact performance and scalability, and should be carefully evaluated.
Learning software architecture online can offer many advantages, such as the flexibility to learn at your own pace, schedule, and location. You can also access a wide range of courses, topics, and instructors from different institutions and platforms. Additionally, online courses are usually more affordable than on-campus ones, saving you money on travel, accommodation, and tuition fees. Furthermore, you can connect with other learners, instructors, and experts from different backgrounds and locations, and exchange ideas and feedback.
Before enrolling in any software architecture course online, it is important to evaluate it based on certain criteria. The content should cover the essential concepts, principles, and practices of software architecture, and provide relevant examples and case studies. Additionally, the course should offer a suitable format for online learning, such as video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and projects. It is also important to consider the instructor, who should be qualified and experienced, and provide clear explanations and feedback. Finally, the course should have positive and honest reviews from previous and current learners, who can share their opinions and experiences.
After evaluating the software architecture courses online, you should select the ones that best fit your needs and goals. To do this, compare the courses based on criteria such as syllabus, schedule, and requirements. You can use online tools, such as CourseCompare or Class Central, to compare and rank the courses. Shortlist the courses that meet your expectations and requirements, and narrow down your options. Finally, enroll in the course that you have chosen and start your learning journey. If you have the time and resources, you can also enroll in more than one course to learn from different perspectives and sources.
To succeed in software architecture courses online, it is important to plan your learning schedule, goals, and strategies, and allocate enough time and energy for the course. Additionally, you should avoid distractions and procrastination. Engaging with the course content, instructor, and peers is also essential, as is actively participating in the learning activities and discussions, seeking and providing feedback, and asking and answering questions. Practicing your skills and knowledge, reviewing and revising what you learn, and reflecting on your progress and performance are also key to success.
Learning how to architect software is a valuable knowledge and asset to have in the current era for designing a secure, scalable, and reliable solution. Everyone learns differently; my suggestion would be while learning any technology, try to have more than one course and even better utilized many available online vendors such as LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, edX, Coursera besides Pluralsight and Linux Academy, and do not forget YouTube videos. The benefit of this is one would gain different perspectives of designing rather having a myopic way of doing things.