Imagine you are building a house, you can not just start by throwing bricks, Right? Just as you need a proper map to build your house, an application architecture is a roadmap containing the patterns and techniques to design and develop an application. This architecture of the app gives you the best guidelines to follow when creating an application so you develop a well-organized app.
The mobile application architecture helps guarantee that applications are scalable and reliable and helps businesses identify gaps in functionality. An app architecture can help you improve your front-end and back-end development process. This structure consists of software modules, components, systems, and different interactions among them.
But wait! App architecture is the starting point. But first, you need to select the programming language to write the application. Look! There are multiple programming languages for software development, certain languages can be used to create certain types of applications, such as Swift for mobile apps or JavaScript for front-end development. So, remember, the choice of language when building an app depends on the type of application, development resources, and requirements.
Insights of Mobile App Architecture
Let’s have a look at some insights to learn more about the importance of app architecture.
According to Statista, In 2023, 87% of developers were creating apps for Android and 58% for iOS. The choice of app architecture plays a crucial role in the overall success and functionality of the app.
Statista also estimates that the revenue of mobile apps worldwide will increase over the next few years and overall will reach around 613 billion U.S. dollars by 2025.
Source: Statista
To succeed in this industry, it is important to select a suitable mobile app architecture. Most of the apps fail because of poor architecture.
Choosing An Application Architecture
Let’s now look at types of application architectures so that it will be easier for you to choose the appropriate one. Before choosing the architecture, start by deciding your strategic goals when for a new application. Deciding your goals first and then choosing the app architecture is a strategic move rather than selecting the architecture and then trying to make an application fit in that architecture.
There are various types of app architecture, but the most common types today are monoliths and N-tier architecture (tightly coupled), microservices (decoupled), and event-driven architecture and service-oriented architecture (loosely coupled)
1. Layered / N-Tier Architecture
If you are looking to develop on-premise or enterprise apps then opt for layered or N-tier architecture of app as it is a traditional architecture used for this purpose. It is the most common and widely used architectural framework in software development. It is also known as N-tier architecture. As the name suggests, Layered architecture contains several horizontal layers or tiers, usually 3; however, there can be more that function together as a single unit of software. Note that this framework must have a user interaction layer, a processing layer, and a layer that deals with data processing.
2. Monolithic Architecture
Is the app you are going to develop more complex? If yes, then the monolithic architecture of the app will best suit you. It is a consolidated model for the development of software programs. Keeping this context, monolithic means “composed all in one piece”. In this architecture, all the business concerns are linked to a single code base since this system contains interdependent functionalities. The main benefits of this architecture of the app are its simpler design and fast performance.
3. Microservices Architecture
Microservices is not just the architecture of an app but an approach to writing software. In this architecture, the apps are broken into their smallest components independent of each other. In a microservices architecture, each component service can be developed, deployed, operated, and scaled without affecting the functioning of other services. The best thing about this mobile application architecture is that the individual services can be scaled as needed without complex infrastructure. With microservice applications, the business logic may enclose multiple platforms, including software as services, on-premises databases, and in-house-developed applications.
4. Event-Driven Architecture
An event-driven architecture is created to capture, communicate, and process events between unlinked services. This architecture works based on the interactions of event generators, event routers, and event consumers. This architecture is common in modern applications that are based on microservices, so if this is the case for you then go for it. This architecture of the app has three components: event producers, event routers, and event consumers. Event-driven architecture is common in modern applications that are based on microservices. You can enable an organization to detect “events” or business moments such as transactions, site visits, shopping cart abandonment, etc.
5. Service-Oriented Architecture
The service-oriented architecture is a well-established software design just like the microservices architecture style. It makes the service components reusable using service interfaces. This mobile application architecture organizes individual services around a specific business process and adheres to a communication protocol. For example, electric companies can use service architecture to include their systems and make their process extra efficient.
Summary
Summing up, If you are planning to build an application for your business then you must have an app architecture according to the uniqueness of your business. Choosing the right architecture is the first step in the application development process. We have discussed different architectures of mobile app development including Layered/N-Tiered architecture, monolithic architecture, microservices architecture, event-driven architecture, and service-oriented architecture. So, before choosing the app architecture for your business, make sure to understand each architecture and select the one that specifically suits your unique business need.
FAQS
What is the best app for architecture?
Some of the best apps for architects include AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, and BIMx. These tools help with design, modeling, and project visualization.
What is the architecture of an app?
App architecture refers to the structure and design of an application, including its front end, backend, databases, and communication layers that ensure smooth functionality.
What is an example of application architecture?
A common example is the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture, where the model manages data, the view handles UI, and the controller connects both, ensuring efficient app operation.
How do I choose an app architecture?
Consider factors like scalability, performance, security, and the app’s purpose. Popular choices include MVVM, MVP, and Microservices for different project needs.
What is modern app architecture?
Modern app architecture focuses on modularity, scalability, and cloud integration, using microservices, serverless computing, and API-first design to improve performance and maintainability.
