How do you improve bad software architecture? Introducing low risk, incremental changes is pretty straight forward but improving architecture often involves bold leaps such as complete rewrites. Where do you start?
Here's a strategy I've been using: Imagine the future you want without worrying about how to get there. I'm calling this a North Star Exercise.
When talking about legacy code, have you ever heard someone say we're gonna strangle it!? This article is for them. The strangler pattern is a powerful way to gradually rewrite a software system while still running the old system. However, words matter and language shapes the way we think. Also, let's be real, calling it the ivy pattern never really caught on.
I'd like to propose the Chrysalizer Pattern. You can now say we're gonna chrysalize it.