Introduction to Software Architecture

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of Software Architecture?

The high-level design of a software system, focusing on its structure rather than code details.

What are the two main types of scalability?

Scale Down (Vertical) and Scale Up (Horizontal)

Scale Up (Vertical) and Scale Down (Horizontal)

Scale Up (Vertical) and Scale Out (Horizontal) (correct)

Scale In (Horizontal) and Scale Out (Vertical)

What does 'Modularity' in Software Architecture refer to?

The ability of a system to handle heavy loads.

Monitoring and improving software performance in real-time.

Building a system from independent components that can be changed or replaced without affecting the whole system. (correct)

The process of adding new features without modifying existing code.

Non-functional requirements are more important than functional requirements.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of a Microservice Architecture?

A single-purpose, separately deployed unit of software that does one thing really, really well. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a Software Architect?

A Software Architect designs and implements software systems that are fast, secure, reliable, and maintainable. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of Architecture Patterns in Software Architecture.

Architecture Patterns are reusable solutions that address common software problems by defining specific building blocks or structural elements. Signup and view all the answers

What are the benefits of a Layered Architecture style?

Layered Architecture promotes modularity, isolation, and maintainability by separating functionality into distinct layers that interact in a controlled manner. Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural style emphasizes the notion of 'events' as triggers for system actions?

Event-Driven Architecture (EDA) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of Architecture Partitioning?

Architecture Partitioning aims to group functionalities into components using technical or domain-based approaches. Signup and view all the answers

Technical Partitioning organizes components based on their functional roles.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural style allows the addition of new functionalities through extensions or plugins without modifying the core system?

Microkernel Architecture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of a Distributed Architecture?

Reduced Complexity Signup and view all the answers

Monolithic Architectures are known for their high scalability.

False Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Software Architecture Introduction

Software architecture is the high-level design of a software system, focusing on structure, not code details.
It involves identifying components, elements, and subsystems, and defining their behavior and interfaces.
It bridges requirements to design, creating a high-level structure for the system (e.g., user interface, database, class diagrams).
Software architecture is important for facilitating stakeholder and developer communication about implementation.
It highlights impactful early design decisions, affecting all subsequent software engineering work.
Serves as a blueprint for system structure and interactions between components.
A software architect creates fast, secure, reliable, and maintainable systems; selecting optimal technologies and patterns to meet requirements.
They must have strong technical skills, a good understanding of specifications, and programming to ensure feasibility without wasting time.

How to Become a Software Architect

Start as a software developer.
Gain 5+ years of diverse development experience.

Software Architecture Process

Understand functional requirements (system goals, list functional use cases).
Understand non-functional requirements (more important than functional; focus on features like performance, security, scalability).

Architecture Quality Attributes

Quality attributes (ilities) are technical capabilities implementing non-functional requirements.
Examples of ilities:
- Scalability (capacity to handle increased load: number of users, data size, running/deployed instances; scale up/vertical or scale out/horizontal).
- Modularity (building the system from independent components).
- Extensibility (add new features without changing existing code using design patterns).
- Manageability (monitor and improve performance in real-time, self-reporting enables automated management and fault tolerance).

Architecture Styles

Monolithic Architectures:
- Single deployment unit, easier to design, inexpensive, fast deployment.
- Weak points are scalability (vertical only) and fault tolerance.
Distributed Architectures:
- Multiple deployment units, advantages in scalability, performance, and fault tolerance.
- Disadvantages are expense, maintenance, and complexity.
Technical Partitioning: Components organized based on their technical role.
Domain Partitioning: Components grouped based on the business domain.
Data-Centred (Repository) Architecture: A central data store (e.g., database) is accessed by components that modify or retrieve data. Components are independent in terms of data.
Pipe and Filter Architecture: Components (filters) are connected, each processing data independently and passing it to the next filter.
Model-View-Controller (MVC) Architecture: Composed of model, view, and controller components for data handling, presentation, and coordination.
Layered Architecture: Layers in an application communicate to one another. Changes in one layer does nor affect other layers directly.
Microkernel Architecture: Easily extensible and flexible to allow new functionality via plugins or extensions without modifying the core system.
Event-Driven Architecture (EDA): System responds to events asynchronously, events are actions or changes in state that trigger specific processes.
Microservice Architecture: Single-purpose, separately deployed software unit that performs one function extremely well.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of software architecture, focusing on the high-level design of software systems. Learn about the roles of components, subsystems, and their interactions, as well as the importance of initial design decisions for successful software engineering. Gain insights into the responsibilities of a software architect and the skills required for effective implementation.