In software, architecture describes the high level structure of a system and the way its parts interact. It defines how frontend, backend, databases, queues, and external services connect to deliver features. Architecture is not just a diagram; it also covers decisions about boundaries, responsibilities, and communication patterns between components. A good architecture helps teams change code safely and deploy new features without constant fear of breaking everything. It also influences performance, scalability, and reliability because it shapes where data lives and how requests flow. As systems grow, clear architecture becomes the main tool for keeping complexity from spiraling out of control. Architecture choices are always tradeoffs between simplicity, flexibility, cost, and speed of development.
key characteristics
An architecture typically defines layers such as user interface, application logic, and data persistence, and it decides how they talk to each other. Common patterns include monoliths, modular systems, and microservices, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Architecture choices also include whether to run on a single server, multiple instances behind a load balancer, or fully managed cloud computing platforms. Good architecture documentation usually explains data flows, trust boundaries, and dependencies between services or libraries. When working with AI coding agents, a clear architecture description helps the AI reason about where new code should live and how it should interact with existing components. Over time, architecture should be reviewed and refined as requirements change rather than treated as a one time decision.