Dragon1 defines Application Architecture as 1) the total concept of an application landscape and 2) the total application concept of an organization or chain or network of organizations.
Go to the tutorial to design an Applications Architecture landscape.
Types of Application Architecture
As with building architecture, an application architecture consists of a specific type or style when there is a certain concept, principle, or element dominant.
Suppose a hospital has many Windows applications, and all these applications are monolithic (meaning they do not consist of replaceable modules). These two aspects dominate everything and every change. One would say that the hospital's type of application architecture is a Monolithic Win32 enterprise application architecture.
Dragon1 suggests that every organization should be familiar with the reference architectures in its industry or branch, as well as the types of application architecture that best fit its size and ambitions.
Read more about Applications Architecture on Wikipedia.
Overview of Common Application Concepts and Principles
Of course, any organization is unique. That said, every organization uses various application concepts, such as 32-bit Windows and monolithic applications.
Below is a summarization of common application concepts.
Many organizations have these concepts as part of their current and future state application architectures because the IT solution they bought had them embedded.
Common Application Concepts:
- Windows 32-bit Application (Win32 App)
- Monolithic Application
- Three-tier Application
Applications Architecture Example
Below is an example of an applications architecture with domains, concepts, and principles. You can, of course, add other elements to it, like building blocks, standards, etc...
Applications Architecture: Who is providing the applications?
Applications Landscape with AA Principles Projects
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
With Application Architecture principles, we want to support decision-making and guide innovation projects. Therefore, everything that is not compliant with the principles (required by the strategy) blocks the realization of business goals.
Visualizations of application architectures that show this issue and propose a solution will guide architects working on architecture projects.