The Engineering Room with Dave Farley The Software Industry's Evolution, Complex Architecture & Problem-Solving At Scale | Michael Nygard In The Engineering Room Ep. 35
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Jan 26, 2025 Michael Nygard, Leader in Global Platforms at Nubank and former Chief Scientist at Sabre, dives deep into the intricacies of modern software architecture. He unpacks the implementation of data mesh solutions for scaling problem-solving and emphasizes the importance of traditional principles like modularity. Nygard shares his experiences managing massive datasets, tackling challenges in ETL processes, and navigating the complexities of a regulated banking environment. His insights on legacy technologies and the evolution of software practices reveal invaluable lessons for developers today.
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Sabre's 364-Day Booking Limit
- Sabre's flight booking system has a 364-day booking limit due to a legacy database design.
- This limitation, stemming from a lack of a year field in the original PNR record, now affects airport ticket printers globally.
Complex Car Configuration System
- Dave Farley recounts working on a car configuration system based on an old COBOL system.
- The system's complexity increased over time due to bit reuse and a convoluted data compression algorithm.
Industry Evolution and Complexity
- Michael Nygard and Dave Farley discuss the software industry's evolution and the increasing complexity of systems.
- Despite advancements in practices like unit testing and version control, new complexities constantly emerge.
