What is the Difference Between System Architecture and Software Architecture? with Proper Definition and Brief Explanation

The main difference between system architecture and software architecture is that the system architecture is a conceptual model that describes the structure and behavior of a system. In contrast, software architecture is a high-level framework that defines solutions to meet business and technical requirements while optimizing the quality attributes of the software.

Architecture explains various aspects of a system. System architecture defines the structure and behavior of an entire system. On the other hand, software architecture defines solutions to meet business and technical expectations while focusing on quality attributes such as performance, security, etc. In short, software architecture is a type of system architecture.

Key areas covered

1. What is the system architecture?
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is software architecture?
     – Definition, Functionality
3. What is the relationship between system architecture and software architecture?
     – Association scheme
4. What is the difference between system architecture and software architecture?
     – Comparison of key differences

Key terms

Software Architecture, Systems Architecture

What is the system architecture?

System architecture is a conceptual model that describes the structure and behavior of a system. A system generally consists of multiple components and subsystems. They all work together to implement the entire system. A description of the system architecture is a formal description that explains the structure and behavior of the entire system. Also, it is Architecture Description Languages ​​(ADL) that helps to describe the architecture of the system. There are several types of system architectures. Some of them are as follows.

Hardware architecture – Describes the physical components of systems and their association.

Enterprise Architecture – Describes practices for conducting enterprise-level application analysis, design, planning, and implementation. Helps to complete the application successfully using various strategies.

Collaborative system architecture. – Describes the interconnections between the components of the system. Some examples are the Internet, joint air defense systems, smart grids, etc.

What is software architecture?

The software architecture is a high-level framework that defines solutions to meet technical and operational requirements, while optimizing quality attributes such as performance, security, and manageability.

There are many quality attributes that affect software architecture design. They define the requirements and expectations of a software at operational and technical levels. It is important to consider attributes such as performance, fault tolerance, scalability, and reliability. Ultimately, the final software product developed using a software architecture must be flexible, easier to use, more maintainable, and reusable. Quality attributes are also called characteristics.

There are various software architecture patterns, and some of them are as follows:

Software Architecture Patterns

Server less architecture

• Describes the application solution that relies on third-party services to manage server complexity and server administration.
• Helps reduce time to correct implementation errors

Event-driven architecture

• Based on the event producer and event consumers.
• Focuses on decoupling the system into various parts
• Each part fires when some other component fires an event

Micro service architecture

• Focus on the development of small independent modular services.
• Each service is capable of solving a particular problem or performing some type of functionality
• All services communicate with each other through APIs.

Relationship between system architecture and software architecture

• Software architecture is a type of system architecture.

Difference between system architecture and software architecture

Definition

System architecture is a conceptual model that defines the structure, behavior, and view of a system. Software architecture, in contrast, refers to the high-level structure of a software and the discipline of creating such structures and systems. So this is the main difference between them.

Main focus

Another difference between them is that system architecture focuses on the entire system, while software architecture focuses on components.

Example

Also, an example will help you understand more clearly the difference between them. The system architecture of an order entry system contains a web front-end, an enterprise layer service, and a database. On the other hand, a component of the order that enters the system is the front end of the web; furthermore, it consists of a responsive user interface, a model view controller, web services, etc.

conclusion

System architecture is a conceptual model that describes the structure and behavior of a system, while the other one is a high-level framework that defines solutions to meet technical and business requirements, while optimizing attributes. software quality. This is the main difference between system architecture and software architecture.

Reference:

1. “Systems architecture”. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, November 22, 2018, Available here.
2. Aladdin, Mohamed. “Software architecture: the difference between architecture and design.” Codeburst, July 27, 2018, Available here.

Courtesy Image:

1. “1437801” (CC0) via Pixabay