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System architecture is the descriptive representation of the system’s component functions and the communication flows between those components. This definition immediately raises some important questions:
What are “components”?
Which functions are relevant?
What is a communication flow?
Let's take a closer look at each of these questions.
What are “components”?
The components of a system can be hardware, software, or people. Hardware components are the physical parts of the system, such as the computer, the network, and the sensors. Software components are the programs that run on the hardware, such as the operating system, the application software, and the middleware. People components are the individuals who interact with the system, such as the users, the operators, and the maintainers.
Which functions are relevant?
The relevant functions are the ones that the system needs to perform in order to achieve its goals. For example, a banking system needs to be able to perform functions such as account opening, money transfers, and bill payments. A manufacturing system needs to be able to perform functions such as order processing, production planning, and quality control.
What is a communication flow?
A communication flow is the way that information is passed between components of a system. It can be a physical flow, such as the flow of data over a network, or it can be a logical flow, such as the flow of control between different parts of a program.
The communication flows in a system are essential for the system to function properly. They allow the components to interact with each other and to share information.
The definition of system architecture is just a starting point. The specific details of a system architecture will vary depending on the specific system. However, the general principles of system architecture are the same for all systems.
Here are some additional questions that can be asked about system architecture:
The answers to these questions will help to define the specific requirements for the system architecture.
System architecture is an important part of the system development process. It helps to ensure that the system is designed in a way that meets the needs of the users and that it can be built and maintained efficiently.
System architecture is the overall structure of a system, including its components, their interactions, and the flow of information between them. It is a blueprint for how the system will be designed, built, and operated.
The definition of system architecture raises some important questions: