Most common software architecture styles:
- Monolithic architecture?is a single, all-in-one application. All the components of the application are tightly coupled and share the same codebase. This is the simplest and most common architecture style, but it can be difficult to scale and maintain as the application grows in size and complexity.
- Client-server architecture?is a two-tier architecture where the presentation layer and the business logic layer are separated. The presentation layer is responsible for interacting with the user, and the business logic layer is responsible for processing data and performing calculations. This architecture is more scalable and maintainable than monolithic architecture, but it can be more complex to develop and deploy.
- Three-tier architecture?is a three-tier architecture where the presentation layer, the business logic layer, and the data layer are separated. The presentation layer is responsible for interacting with the user, the business logic layer is responsible for processing data and performing calculations, and the data layer is responsible for storing data. This architecture is even more scalable and maintainable than client-server architecture, but it can be even more complex to develop and deploy.
- Layered architecture?is a variation of three-tier architecture where the presentation layer, the business logic layer, and the data layer are further subdivided into layers. This can help to improve modularity and make the architecture easier to understand and maintain.
- Microkernel architecture:?This style decouples the system into a small, central kernel and a number of independent modules. The kernel provides basic services, such as memory management and scheduling, while the modules provide the specific functionality of the system. This architecture is popular for embedded systems because it is efficient and scalable.
- Real-time executive architecture:?This style is designed for real-time systems that need to guarantee response times. The executive is a software component that schedules the execution of the other components in the system. This architecture is efficient for real-time systems, but it can be difficult to develop and maintain.
- Time-triggered architecture:?This style uses a global clock to schedule tasks. Tasks are assigned deadlines, and they are guaranteed to complete by their deadline. This architecture is very predictable and reliable, but it can be difficult to implement in systems with a lot of variability.
- Microservices architecture?is a style of architecture where the application is composed of small, independent services. Each service is responsible for a specific task, and the services communicate with each other using lightweight mechanisms, such as REST APIs. This architecture is very scalable and maintainable, but it can be more complex to develop and deploy.
- Event-driven architecture?is a style of architecture where the application reacts to events. Events are notifications that are sent when something happens in the system. The application is designed to respond to events in a timely manner. This architecture is very scalable and flexible, but it can be more complex to develop and deploy.
The best software architecture style for a particular project will depend on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of the project, the requirements of the project, and the skills of the development team.
Here are some additional software architecture styles that are less common, but can be useful in certain situations:
- Pipes and filters architecture:?This style is similar to the layered architecture, but the components are connected by pipes. Data flows through the pipes from one component to the next.
- Blackboard architecture:?This style uses a shared database, called the blackboard, to store data. Components can access the data in the blackboard to perform their tasks.
- Model-view-controller (MVC) architecture:?This style separates the user interface (the view) from the business logic (the model) and the data access (the controller). This makes it easier to develop and maintain the software.
