Application Architecture Guide 2.0

http://apparchguide.codeplex.com/

I am in the middle of redesigning our software and was thinking through some major parts of our software design. We notice the number of clients grow, the size of the companies that uses our software gets larger (Microsoft, SAP, Google, Unit4Agresso, Shell are all companies that use our software) and the number of topics in the Sevensteps projects increase. Our software was designed for documentation projects of around 5000 topics per project (we have projects that are over 400.000 topics in size, but performance is an issue there) and I want to redesign (part of) our software to accommodate larger projects.

Another reason for redesigning is that we currently support one rich client interface. And I want to extend that with a content API (which will give access to the information from, let’s say, an ASP.Net application) and some light weight, web based interfaces. Some other parts of the software could do with a looking over too.

Going all over the net for some background information, I stumbled on the Microsoft Application Architecture Guide 2.0. I’ve now read the first 2 chapters and already got some very valuable information. I find that most things discussed, I already know about and have some experience with. But, to see them listed helps a lot.

I will be reading the next 300 pages or so to see how the topics are elaborated on. I’m not a very keen IT book reader, but will make an exception this time. Anyone looking for some guidance in designing (Microsoft based) software might find it a valuable resource too. If after reading I think a follow up is required, I will do so of course.

Bye,

Bart