system architecture
A system architecture is the conceptual model that defines the structure, behavior,
and more views of a system.[1] An architecture description is a formal description and
representation of a system, organized in a way that supports reasoning about
the structures and behaviors of the system.
A system architecture can consist of system components and the sub-systems
developed, that will work together to implement the overall system. There have been
efforts to formalize languages to describe system architecture, collectively these are
called architecture description languages (ADLs).
Systems Architecture
1. Components:
o These are the individual parts of a system, which can include software modules,
hardware units, network nodes, and more.
o Each component performs a specific function and contributes to the overall
system behavior.
2. Subsystems:
o Larger systems are often divided into subsystems, each responsible for a subset of
the overall functionality.
o For example, in an e-commerce system, subsystems could include user
management, order processing, payment handling, and inventory management.
3. Interfaces:
o Interfaces define how components and subsystems interact with each other.
o They specify the data exchange formats, protocols, and the sequence of operations
between interacting elements.
4. Architectural Layers:
o Layers help organize the system’s architecture into logical groups such as the
presentation layer, business logic layer, and data access layer.
o Each layer has a well-defined role, making the architecture modular and
maintainable.
5. Data Flow and Control Flow:
o Data flow represents how data moves through the system, while control flow
represents the sequence of operations and decision points.
o Understanding data and control flow is critical for performance optimization and
reliability.
6. Architectural Patterns:
o Patterns such as Microservices, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), Event-
Driven Architecture, and Client-Server Architecture help in structuring complex
systems.
o Each pattern has its own strengths, weaknesses, and use cases.
Types of Systems Architecture
1. Enterprise Architecture:
o Encompasses the overall IT strategy of an organization, aligning business goals
with IT capabilities.
o It includes aspects like business processes, information systems, and
technological infrastructure.
o Common frameworks include TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture
Framework) and Zachman Framework.
2. Software Architecture:
o Focuses on the structure and organization of software systems, including
application layers, modules, and communication mechanisms.
o Software architectures are often described using diagrams and formal models like
UML (Unified Modeling Language).
3. Network Architecture:
o Describes the organization and interconnection of network devices and
components.
o Includes aspects like topology, protocols, and communication methods.
4. Hardware Architecture:
o Describes the physical layout and interaction of hardware components within a
system.
o Used in embedded systems, IoT devices, and other hardware-centric designs.
5. Information Architecture:
o Organizes and structures the information content within a system, often used in
web design and data-intensive applications.
o Defines how information is categorized, stored, accessed, and presented.
6. Distributed Systems Architecture:
o Deals with systems in which components are distributed across multiple
networked nodes.
o Addresses challenges such as synchronization, data consistency, fault tolerance,
and scalability.
