Architectural Design

Updated 06 Sep 2026

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What it is
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  the process of identifying a software system's high-level structure — its main components, their relationships, the architectural style used, and strategies for meeting quality requirements (performance, security, maintainability)
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Purpose
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  gives a macro-level view of the system before detailed design begins
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  defines the organizational structure — what the components are and how they interact
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  supports system-wide qualities like scalability, reliability, and modifiability
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  provides a reference point for later development and testing
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Key outputs
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  a software architecture description document
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  a Component Diagram (logical component relationships)
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  a Deployment Diagram (physical structure — servers, devices, databases)
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  a choice of architectural style: layered, client-server, microservices, event-driven, monolithic, or service-oriented (SOA)
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Related
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  High-Level Design
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  Detailed Design

Linked references 5