Kirk Knoernschild

Refactoring the Monolith

3:15 PM MDT

Monoliths are out and microservices are in. Not so fast. Many of the benefits attributed uniquely to microservices are actually a byproduct of other architectural paradigms with modularity at their core.

In this session, we’ll look at several of the benefits we expect from today’s architectures and explore these benefits in the context of various modern architectural paradigms. We’ll also examine different technologies that are applying these principles to build the platforms and frameworks we will use going forward.

Along the way, we’ll explore how to refactor a monolithic application using specific modularity patterns and illustrate how an underlying set of principles span several architectural paradigms. The result is an unparalleled degree of architectural agility to move between different architectural paradigms.

From Fragile to Agile Architecture

5:00 PM MDT

In today’s volatile technology and business climate, big architecture up front is not sustainable. Attempts to define the architectural vision for a system early in the development lifecycle does not work. To accept change, teams are moving to agile methods, but agile methods provide little architectural guidance. In this session, we provide practical guidance for software architecture on agile projects.

We will explore several principles that help us create more flexible and adaptable software systems.We’ll expose the true essence of what’s meant when we say “architectural agility.” And we’ll explore the real goal of software architecture and how we can accommodate architectural change to help increase architectural agility.

Understanding the Java Platform Module System

8:30 AM MDT

As of Java 9, modularity is built in to the Java platform…Finally! Yet few teams are using it. And in reality, you may never use it…at least not for a while. However by understanding the module system, you're guaranteed to see the Java platform in a completely different light. In this session, we explore the default module system, how it works on the Java platform, and what’s in the future for the Java Platform Module System.

We will demonstrate the impact that JPMS will have on our existing applications and identify what we must do to get ready for JPMS. You will also see firsthand how to use the JPMS and the benefits that support for modularity on the Java platform will have on your applications.

30 Years of Software Development: Lessons from the Trenches

10:30 AM MDT

Software development is an amazing profession, requiring the delicate combination of analytical and creative skills. Understanding architectural patterns, agile best practices, and exploring the depths of platforms, tool, and languages requires deep analytical skills. Yet crafting a system also requires vision and understanding when to deviate from traditional best practices.

In this session, we will explore lessons learned over many years of building large software systems. We will challenge traditional assumptions and explore new ways of thinking.