In this interview, Leanpub co-founder Len Epp talks with Maciej “MJ” Jedrzejewski, author of the Leanpub book Master Software Architecture: A Pragmatic Guide.

MJ, based in Switzerland, is a software developer, architect, and tech lead with extensive experience in the IT industry. He discusses his background, starting from his early fascination with hardware and overclocking processors in Poland, to his transition into software development and architecture, now working in Switzerland.

The interview covers MJ’s journey from software development to becoming a software architect. He explains how his career highlights the importance of understanding both technical and business aspects when designing software. In his book, MJ offers a practical guide for navigating the complexities of software architecture, emphasizing the need for pragmatic solutions that can evolve with the business.

MJ delves into the definition of software architecture, explaining that each architect may have a different perspective. For him, software architecture is a pragmatic and holistic approach to building software that includes understanding the business domain, deployment strategies, security, and testing. One of the key points he makes is about focusing on evolutionary architecture, where systems can adapt and grow over time.

A major theme of the discussion is the importance of understanding the business domain in software architecture. MJ describes how architects need to break down the problem into smaller subdomains and ensure that everyone on the team is aligned on the language and processes. He also discusses techniques such as “eventstorming” and domain storytelling, which are crucial for uncovering the right requirements and designing systems that meet business needs.

The conversation touches on key topics from MJ’s book, including release strategies and security. He explains how to plan for different types of releases - whether you’re deploying directly to production or working within a more regulated environment. MJ also highlights the importance of testing early and often, using strategies like automated testing and continuous integration to ensure systems are robust and scalable.

Another important focus of the interview is security. MJ discusses best practices, such as using static analysis tools, encryption, and partnering with third-party services for penetration testing. He emphasizes the need for automation in security processes and the importance of identifying potential vulnerabilities early in the development cycle.

Finally, MJ shares insights into how he approached writing Master Software Architecture. He spent years collecting ideas before fully dedicating himself to writing the book over a five-month period. He describes his disciplined yet flexible writing process, where he focused on creating clear and actionable content, complete with over 230 images and diagrams to support practical learning.

Listen to the full episode here.

This interview was recorded on September 5, 2024.

The full audio for the interview is here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/leanpub_podcasts/FM303-Maciej-MJ-Jedrzejewski-2024-09-05.mp3. The Frontmatter podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/leanpub, in Apple Podcasts here https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frontmatter/id517117137, and almost everywhere else people listen to podcasts.

This interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.