Top 5 Software Architecture Patterns in 2022

When one is faced with choosing the perfect software architecture pattern to incorporate into the enterprise’s legacy framework can prove complex. A fine balance between the rigidity and the flexibility of the pattern must be struck. A design that is too rigid will result in conflicts if the development initiative is based upon the agile methodology. This would result in an overdose of upfront design, deviating from feature and functionality inclusion. A design that is too flexible would result in constant implementation (varying in value), thus confusing the development team.

Take this for an example. Let’s suppose that your company wishes to develop web-based software. Your enterprise decides to work on agile principles, and the development team begins building the software architecture. But how do you choose a software architecture pattern? Which one is the best fit for your development initiative? Fret not; we are here to answer your questions. Here is a list of the five most-used architecture patterns you can choose from. 

1. Layered (n-tier) Architecture 

Layered (n-tier) architecture is the most popular architecture pattern in today’s world. This parent is built by including company databases and incorporating existing tech assets to help in storing data.

The coding procedure of layered architecture facilitates data entry from the topmost layer, which is the presentation layer. From here, data flows into the bottom layer, i.e., the database. Every layer in this architecture is designed to serve a specific purpose, from reworking inconsistent values to checking data for errors. In this architectural pattern, developers work in consecutive stages developing each layer one by one. 

One of the major pros of a layered architectural pattern is that each layer is dedicated to a specific function/task. This results in high coherence levels, maintainability, testability, and ease of updating or upgrading specific layers. It also becomes very easy to deploy expert resources to each layer so that the developers deployed to a specific layer have ample expertise in the task at hand. 

A Layered Architecture works best for- 

• Application development in tight deadlines 
• Applications that need to exist alongside legacy systems 
• Applications that need to meet testability and maintainability standards

2. Event-Driven Architecture 

The next software architecture pattern is event-driven architecture. This pattern helps manage development efforts by accepting data and then delegating it to individual modules, each of which caters to a specific data type. This ‘Handoff’ generates an ‘event’ in the data type, which is then attached to the code assigned to it. 

While in a layered architecture pattern, every bit of data passes through every layer of the architecture, event-driven architecture differs from its predecessor. In it, modules interact only with the event tagged to them. This makes event-driven architecture highly appealing to enterprises with complicated environments. It is also highly scalable and extensible.

The event-driven architecture pattern is best for- 

• UI development 
• Applications pre-assigned modules interact with specific data types 
• Systems that have an asynchronous data flow 

3. Microkernel Architecture 

The next entrant on our list of architecture patterns is Microkernel architecture. This pattern deals with the core operations of an application. Taking Eclipse ( DevTool) as an example, basic operations like displaying a file and subsequent editing fall under the scope of the embedded microkernel. A JavaScript compiler acts as an extra addition that manages basic features.

Also Read: Warehouse Management Software (WMS): The Role of WMS in Logistics Chain

Microkernel software architecture works best for 

• Apps with clear markers  between basic functions and higher-order functions 
• Applications with stable core routines but with the extensibility of dynamic rules 
• Tools used across organizational hierarchies.  

4. Space-Based Architecture 

So long as the database can cope with traffic loads, the website functions perfectly. But in peak traffic scenarios, the website is apt to crash given that the database can no longer log any more transactions. 

This is the problem statement that space-based architecture tackles. This architecture pattern avoids crashes by splitting the load of logging, processing, and storage to multiple servers. With space-based architecture, your website will be able to handle even the steepest spikes in traffic by eliminating the need for a centralized database.

Space-Based architecture design is best for- 

• High-volumes of data  
• Low-value data  
• Social networking sites 

5. Microservices Architecture 

The prime motive behind developing the Microservices architecture pattern was to assist developers in making their software less monolithic and more flexible. The Microservices architecture creates numerous tiny programs that cater to specific functionalities within the core program. 

The best example of Microservices architecture is the streaming behemoth Netflix. Every component of the site is a separate little program in itself. The only difference is that in microkernel architecture, plugins exist outside the microkernel, while in microservices architecture, the component programs exist within the master program.  

Microservices architecture pattern is best for: 

• Sites with many functional components 
• Data centers 
• Distributed development teams  

Summing Up- With The Right Partner 

Your choice of software architecture pattern is pivotal to the success of your development initiative. The architecture you choose will, after all, serve as the foundation of all communication and transactions. Therefore, the need for an aligned system plan is crucial to maintain stakeholder collaboration. Choosing the right software development company is crucial for your software development to be a value-addition to your business.  

The architecture pattern you choose should depend on your business’s unique use case of your business as it also defines the issues you might face during the implementation process. Therefore, when you choose an architecture pattern, make sure that is takes decision making, change management, user engagement, and customer acquisition into account. 

It defines how the software will function and defines problems that the enterprise might encounter during implementation. Choosing the right software architecture patterns makes taking decisions, managing changes, and acquiring better estimates of the project. We trust that this article has proven informational. Until next time, happy developing.