Should architects code?

Summary
Yes, please and fix defects too!

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

• At DDJ Architecture blog
• Johanna Rothman and again

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.