Should architects code?

Posted May 17, 2006 in misc

There’s some discussion on whether architects should code or not:

This is related to Coplien’s ArchitectAlsoImplements
organisational pattern.

Out of the ensuing discussion, my position is quite close to this one by Kevin Spencer. Or perhaps this one from David Dossot.

Even though “architect” has been part of my job title for some years now, I don’t make a big distinction between architecture and programming. One is high level design, the other one is low level design, but what high and low means, depends a lot on the size of the project.

In my ideal company Architects fix defects too.