Architectural pattern

For the use of the word "pattern" in the field of architecture, see Pattern (architecture).

An architectural pattern is a general, reusable solution to a commonly occurring problem in software architecture within a given context. Architectural patterns are similar to software design pattern but have a broader scope. The architectural patterns address various issues in software engineering, such as computer hardware performance limitations, high availability and minimization of a business risk. Some architectural patterns have been implemented within software frameworks.

Definition

Even though an architectural pattern conveys an image of a system, it is not an architecture. An architectural pattern is a concept that solves and delineates some essential cohesive elements of a software architecture. Countless different architectures may implement the same pattern and share the related characteristics. Patterns are often defined as "strictly described and commonly available". When it is strictly described and commonly available, it is a pattern.

Architectural style

Following traditional building architecture, a 'software architectural style' is a specific method of construction, characterized by the features that make it notable" (Architectural style). "An architectural style defines: a family of systems in terms of a pattern of structural organization; a vocabulary of components and connectors, with constraints on how they can be combined."

"An architectural pattern is a named collection of architectural design decisions that (1) are applicable in a given development context, (2) constrain architectural design decisions that are specific to a particular system within that context, and (3) elicit beneficial qualities in each resulting system."

Some treat architectural patterns and architectural styles as the same, some treat styles as specializations of patterns. What they have in common is both patterns and styles are idioms for architects to use, they "provide a common language" or "vocabulary" with which to describe classes of systems.

The main difference is that a pattern can be seen as a solution to a problem, while a style is more general and does not require a problem to solve for its appearance.

Examples

Here is a list of architecture patterns, and corresponding design patterns and solution patterns.

Sub-Domain Area	Architecture Pattern Name	Design Patterns	Solution Patterns	Related Patterns
Data Integration/SOA	ETL (Data Extraction Transformation & Loading)	Change Data Capture Near Real-Time ETL Batch ETL Data Discovery	Error handling Job scheduling Data validation Slowly Changing Dimensions Load	EAI Master Data Hub Operational Data Store (ODS) Data Mart Data Warehouse
	MFT
	EAI/ESB	Publish/subscribe Request/reply Message Exchange Patterns	One-Way Synchronous Request/Response Basic Callback Claim Check	SOA
Data Architecture	Transaction Data Stores (TDS/OLTP) Master Data Store Operational Data Store Data Mart Data Warehouse	Custom Applications Databases Packaged Application Databases		ETL EAI SOA
Business Intelligence	Transactional Reporting Operational Reporting Analytical Reporting	Transactional Reporting Data Access Operational Reporting Data Access Analytical Reporting Data Access Analytical Dashboard Data Access Operational Dashboard Data Access Data Mining	Real-Time Dashboards In-Memory Analytics Statistical Analysis Predictive analytics	ETL EAI TDS Operational Data Store Data Mart
Master data management	Master Data Hub	Master Data Replication Master Data Services Master Data Synchronization		Change Data Capture EAI STD
Data Modeling	Dimensional Data Modeling E-R Data Modeling	Modeling Standards Naming Conventions

Some additional examples of architectural patterns:

• Blackboard system
• Broker Pattern
• Event-driven architecture
• Implicit invocation
• Layers
• Microservices
• Model-view-controller, Presentation-abstraction-control, Model-view-presenter, and Model-view-viewmodel
• Multitier architecture (often three-tier or n-tier)
• Naked objects
• Operational Data Store (ODS)
• Peer-to-peer
• Pipe and filter architecture
• Service-oriented architecture

See also

• List of software architecture styles and patterns
• Process Driven Messaging Service
• Enterprise architecture
• Common layers in an information system logical architecture