Field notes

Alchemist's Journal

Discover insights, tutorials, and stories from the world of alchemy and web development.

Software Architecture May 01, 2026 6 min read

From Big Ball of Mud to Fitness Functions: How to Keep Architecture Alive

See how systems drift into a Big Ball of Mud and how architecture fitness functions provide continuous, measurable feedback that keeps architectural qualities alive.

Read article 27

Software Architecture April 09, 2026 8 min read

What Is a Software Architect?

Understand what software architects actually do and the technical, business, decision-making, and people skills required to guide systems and engineering teams effectively.

Read article 7