Building the Middle Tier and Doing Software Migrations: A Conversation with Rashmi Venugopal

9 snips

Jun 23, 2025

In this discussion, Rashmi Venugopal, a Staff Software Engineer at Netflix with expertise in distributed systems, explores the critical role of the middle tier in software architecture. She likens it to a chef who harmonizes the back end and front end, ensuring smooth user experiences. Rashmi also shares insights on managing software migrations, emphasizing the importance of learning from past projects and maintaining compatibility. The conversation touches on balancing innovation with legacy systems and the challenges of scaling effectively.

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INSIGHT

Middle Tier as Orchestration Layer

The middle tier translates backend APIs into unified APIs tailored for user workflows.
It acts as an orchestration layer between UI and backend, resolving front-end and back-end mismatches.

ADVICE

Communicate Trade-offs Clearly

Explicitly communicate trade-offs to stakeholders when taking shortcuts for quick delivery.
This transparency helps prevent hidden technical debt and future maintenance burdens.

INSIGHT

Architecture Demands Leadership Skills

Architecture requires strong technical expertise and interpersonal skills.
Engineers must also be persuasive leaders to align teams and communicate business needs effectively.

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