Systems
Architecture
Plain English
How a glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term is structured.
Definition
Architecture refers to the structure and organisation of a glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term, including how components interact and are designed.
In practice
Used to define how glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term are built, scaled, and maintained.
In context
It gets decided early, often implicitly, and is the most expensive thing to revisit. The choices nobody wrote down are the ones that constrain the glossaryRoadmapA roadmap is a strategic plan that outlines the direction, priorities, and timeline for a product or initiative. It communicates what will be delivered and why, rather than just listing features.Open glossary term three years later.
The reality
Poor architecture decisions create long-term technical debt and limitations.
Compared with
Architecture vs Infrastructure
Architecture is how the parts of a glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term are organised and interact. glossaryInfrastructureInfrastructure refers to the underlying systems and resources that support applications and services.Open glossary term is what it runs on: servers, networks, storage. You can move infrastructure without changing architecture, and usually should.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is system architecture?
It is the structure and design of a glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term.
Why is architecture important?
It affects glossaryScalabilityScalability is the ability of a system to handle increased demand without losing performance.Open glossary term, glossaryPerformancePerformance refers to how quickly and efficiently a system responds to user actions and processes tasks.Open glossary term, and maintainability.
What are types of architecture?
Monolithic, glossaryMicroservicesMicroservices is an architecture where a system is built from small, independent services that communicate with each other.Open glossary term, and layered architectures.
What happens with poor architecture?
glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term become hard to scale and maintain.
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