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Software Architecture Book Club

Software Architecture Book Club

Mark Richards, Neal Ford, Raju Gandhi 24 Episodes Jun 18, 2026

This podcast goes chapter-by-chapter through books about software architecture, by the authors of those books, starting with Head First Software Architecture.

Episodes

Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 13: Service-based Architecture Jun 18, 2026 3046 Continuing our relentless cataloging of architectural styles, in this episode we cover the service-based architecture. This is the only style in the book with a bespoke name, created by Mark and Neal, because it appeared in the wild so often as a pragmatic compromise on the extremes of microservices. In this episode, we describe the origins of the style, untangle the name from other architectures
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 12: Microkernel May 14, 2026 3419 Continuing our catalog of architectural styles, in this episode we cover the Microkernel architecture. Sometimes also known as a plug-in architecture, we introduce the idea of "microkernality" in this episode and talk about the myriad ways this architecture style appears in the real world. We cover a lot of information in this episode, expanding on the material in the book chapter.
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 11: Pipeline Architecture Apr 16, 2026 2832 Continuing our exploration of architecture styles, this month we go deep on the Pipeline (or Pipes and Filters) Style. This episode explores different types of filters, uses of this architecture, and how it differs from other similar styles.
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 10: Layered Architectures Mar 19, 2026 3551 This is the first of many chapters that each do a deep-dive on a particular architecture style; in this chapter, we start with the layered monolithic architecture, also known by many as the default architecture. We describe the topology, communication, data strategies, and philosophy underlying this style. We also point to ways to govern this style and how to adapt the style without breaking it.
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 9: Foundations Feb 19, 2026 3452 The outcome of the architectural characteristics and logical component analysis we've been undertaking over the last few chapters is for an architect to choose an appropriate architecture style most suitable for the problem and capabilities we must build to be successful. Thus, this chapter starts a deep-dive on the most popular generic architecture styles that architects should be aware of.
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 8: Logical Components Jan 15, 2026 3618 For the past few chapters/episodes, we've been delving into the analysis and definition of architectural characteristics, one of the two key structural design activities for software architects. In this chapter, we cover the other aspect of structural design in defining logical components, the building blocks of most software architectures. These define the behavior of the system, and we talk
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter7: Scoping Architecture Characteristics Dec 18, 2025 3361 In this episode, we cover one of the key indicators for architects to answer one of the first questions they must consider--should they choose a monolithic or distributed architecture? Understanding and applying the scope of architectural characteristics is one of the keys to properly choosing most applicable solution. As usual, we cover details and background from the chapter and answer questions
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 6: Measuring Architecture Characteristics Nov 20, 2025 3392 In this episode, we cover the critical topic of how architects can govern the architectural characteristics they identified. Architects are responsible for both identifying architectural characteristics, but should also ensure that they check on them to make sure the aspirational goal is manifesting. For example, if the team has a goal of 50ms First Contentful Paint for responsiveness, how can you
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 5: Indenifying Architectural characteristics Oct 16, 2025 3312 In this episode, we cover the Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition chapter on identifying architectural characteristics, an important skill for all software architects. Many think this type of analysis is only useful at project inception, but it turns out to be useful even for existing systems. As always, we cover the basics of the chapter and answer a number of questions from the live a
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 4: Architectural Characteristics Defined Sep 18, 2025 3465 Architects can split structural design into two analyses: architectural characteristics and logical component analysis. This episode introduces what we mean by architectural characteristics (and why we don't care for alternative terms such as non-functional requirements, cross-cutting requirements, etc.). We discuss our definition and how it impacts architecture decisions.
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Chapter 3: Modularity Aug 14, 2025 3315 A key concept for structural design in software architecture is modularity, which this episode dives into. We define the difference between modularity and granularity, and focus on some of the concrete measurements architects have to understand the macro structure of component-based systems. As usual, we also answer some great questions from our live audience.
Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition Chapter 2: Architectural Thinking Jul 17, 2025 3569 In this episode of the podcast, we sync up with chapter two of Software Architecture Fundamentals 2nd Edition, Architectural Thinking, including topics like architecture versus design, the distinction and importance of technical depth versus breadth, the primacy of analyzing trade-offs, understanding business drivers, and balancing role expectations like coding versus non-coding activities. 

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