Top 5 Software Architecture Patterns In 2024

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Software architecture pattern

Software architecture is like a blueprint for software development. It illustrates how various elements connect and work together, setting the groundwork for the entire development process. This blueprint helps the development team understand how to create the software based on the customer’s needs.

There are various methods to arrange the elements of a software project, known as software architecture patterns. Each pattern provides different solutions for various requirements.

In this article, we will go into detail about 5 Software Architecture Patterns.

5 Most Common Software Architecture Patterns

#1. Layered Pattern (N-Tier Architecture):

Layered Architecture, also known as N-Tier Architecture, is a design pattern that divides an application into different horizontal layers or tiers. Each layer has its own specific job and includes a certain set of functions.

This setup helps keep different parts of the application separate, making it easier to manage and update.

Showing different layers of Layered software architecture Pattern

The number of layers can change based on what the application needs.

Common layers include:

  • Presentation Layer: Handles user interface and interaction.
  • Application Layer: Manages business logic and workflows.
  • Domain/Business Logic Layer: Contains core business entities and rules.
  • Data Access Layer: Handles communication with data storage systems like databases or APIs, providing abstraction for data operations.

Benefits:

The Layered Architecture Pattern offers several benefits.

  • It helps keep different parts of the system separate, which makes it easier to understand and work with.
  • This approach also promotes modularity, meaning that different components can be reusable in various parts of the application or even in other projects.
  • The clear architectural design makes it easier for software engineers to maintain the system, fix bugs, and add new features.
  • Because each layer can be tested on its own, it also makes testing simpler.
  • This pattern hides the technical details within each layer, which minimizes risks when changes are made.
  • Finally, it allows for flexibility since developers can change individual components without affecting the whole system.

Use Case:

The Layered Architecture Pattern is ideal for applications that require a clear separation of concerns and modularity. Common use cases include:

enterprise, e-commerce, content management system (CMS), banking and financial system, etc.

#2. Client-Server Pattern:

Client-Server architecture is a system where one or more users (clients) connect to a main server that provides resources, services, and data to them.

In this setup, clients ask for services, and the server processes those requests and sends back the information. This design helps businesses use their resources efficiently, allows for easy scaling, and makes maintenance simpler by dividing tasks between clients and servers.

Showing how client server pattern

Benefits:

  • It’s easier to manage, monitor, and maintain everything because most data tasks are handled on the server.
  • The system can grow to meet increased usage and demand by adding more clients or upgrading the server.
  • The server provides stronger security and easier updates since all data and services are stored in one place.
  • Many clients can access shared resources, like databases or software programs, from one server.
  • The system performs better and reduces network traffic by balancing the workload between clients and servers.
  • It’s simpler to maintain the system, fix bugs, and add new features because everything is centralized on the server.
  • Changes can be made to individual parts without affecting the whole system, which makes it more adaptable.
  • The server manages tasks to balance the load, improving response times and creating a better experience for users.

Use Case:

Common use cases include: web application, mobile app, email system, file sharing services.

#3. Microservice Architecture:

Microservice architecture is a way of designing applications where the app is made up of many small, independent services that communicate to each other over a network. Each microservice is responsible for a specific part of the business and can be developed, launched, and scaled on its own.

Showing how microservice pattern works

Benefits:

  • Each microservice can be scaled independently based on its specific needs, optimizing resource usage and performance.
  • Teams can develop, deploy, and update microservices independently.
  • Failure in one microservice doesn’t affect the entire system.
  • Different microservices can use different technologies or languages best suited for their specific tasks, enhancing the overall functionality.
  • Smaller codebases per service make it easier to understand, maintain, and debug individual components.
  • Continuous deployment and integration (CI/CD) are facilitated as services can be updated independently without affecting other parts of the application.

Use Case:

Common use cases include: e-commerce platforms, online banking systems, content management systems (CMS), and complex enterprise applications.

#4. Event Driven Architecture:

Event-Driven Architecture relies on events as the main way for different parts of a system to communicate. This approach is usually divided into two main design patterns: Event-Driven Design and Message-Driven Design. It’s important to understand each of these patterns on its own.

Showing how event driven architecture works

Let’s begin with Event-Driven Design. In this pattern, different components talk to each other and respond to events triggered by the event producer.

For example, when a customer logs into their order history page and wants to see a list of their past orders, this pattern listens for that event and then responds to it asynchronously.

Message-driven design is a way to organize how different parts of a system communicate with each other using messages. In this method, one part, called the event producer, sends messages with information or tasks to a queue managed by an event broker. Another part, called the event consumer, picks up and processes those messages from the queue.

For example, when a customer signs up on our website, we don’t have to send a welcome email right away. It’s okay if it takes a few minutes, so we put that request in the event broker queue and handle it later.

Benefits:

  • Event-driven systems can easily grow by adding more event producers or consumers, which helps improve performance and the ability to handle heavy loads.
  • In this architecture, different parts only communicate through events. This reduces the reliance on one another and allows for more modularity and flexibility.
  • Components can handle events on their own and at the same time, which makes the system more responsive and efficient.
  • This architecture is great for dealing with events and notifications in real-time, making it ideal for systems with lots of data and quickly changing conditions.
  • Event-driven architecture makes it simpler to connect with other systems or applications since components can listen for and react to events from various sources.

Use Case:

Common use cases include: real-time analytics platforms, online gaming, IoT systems, financial trading systems, and notification systems.

#5. Model-View-Controller (MVC):

The Model View Controller (MVC) pattern divides an application into three parts: the Model, which handles data management; the View, which is responsible for the user interface; and the Controller, which manages the flow of information.

This separation helps make the application more organized, easier to maintain, and simpler to test because each part can be developed and updated on its own.

Showing how MVC pattern works

Benefits:

  • The different roles of Model, View, and Controller improve how the code is organized
  • Parts of the MVC architecture can be used again in other projects, which saves time in development and helps keep things consistent.
  • By breaking the application logic into separate components, it becomes simpler to test and fix problems in the code.
  • Different teams can work on the Model, View, and Controller at the same time, which speeds up the overall development process.
  • Changes to the View can be done without affecting the Model and Controller.

Use Case:

Common use cases include: web app, mobile app, and desktop app.

Is it Necessary to Hire a Software Architect?

For simple projects, your team might be able to manage on their own. However, for more complicated projects, having a software architect can be really helpful. They create the overall design of your software, making sure it works well, can grow easily, and is easy to maintain.

If your team doesn’t have enough experience or could use some new ideas, a software architect can be a valuable addition. In the end, think about the size and complexity of your project, as well as your team’s skills, to determine if bringing in a software architect is the best decision.

FAQ

How Many Software Design Patterns Are There?

There are 23 classic Design Patterns, but so far, at least 26 different Design Patterns have been found.

When to Use Space-based Architecture?

For applications that need to handle a lot of data and stay reliable, space-based architecture helps manage and process large amounts of information across a network of multiple computers. It offers the same benefits as a microservices architecture while still maintaining good performance.

What are the Advantages of Broker Architecture?

The Broker Pattern has many benefits in systems that rely on events. It makes things more scalable, flexible, and reliable. By separating the event publishers from the subscribers, the broker pattern makes it easier to expand the system as it gets bigger.

What is a Microkernel Architecture?

A microkernel architecture is a way to design an operating system that keeps the main part of the system as small as it can be.

This main part, called the microkernel, is responsible for only the most important tasks that the operating system needs to work, like managing memory, scheduling processes, and allowing different processes to communicate with each other.

What is Pipe-filter Architecture Pattern?

Pipe-filter architecture is a way to design software system where data moves through a series of separate modules called “filters.” Each filter makes a specific change to the data. The output from one filter is fed into the next one, creating a pipeline or a chain of filters that work together.

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