Software Architectures - Practical Guide
Main Architectures
1. Monolithic Architecture 🏢
Principle: Everything in a single application.
Advantages:
- Simple to develop and deploy
- Easy debugging
- Direct performance (no network between components)
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to evolve
- One failure = everything stops
- Complex scaling
When to use it: Small applications, small teams, MVP
2. Layered Architecture
Principle: Divide into layers with clear responsibilities.
Typical layers:
- Presentation (UI)
- Business Logic
- Data Access
Advantages:
- Clear organization
- Reusability
- Easier testing
When to use it: Medium-sized applications, structured teams
3. Clean Architecture / Hexagonal Architecture
Principle: Separate business logic from technical details.
Structure:
- Core: Pure business logic
- External layers: UI, Database, APIs
Advantages:
- Isolated business logic
- Facilitates testing
- Framework independence
Disadvantages:
- More initial complexity
- Learning curve
4. Microservices Architecture 🧩
Principle: Divide into small, independent services.
Advantages:
- Fine-grained scalability
- Different technologies per service
- Autonomous teams
Disadvantages:
- Network complexity
- Distributed data management
- Complex monitoring
When to use it: Large applications, multiple teams, ONLY if it has a business interest and the layers can be strongly decoupled. If you cut a Microservice and the app doesn't start, the Microservice isn't working! Microservices must be strongly decoupled!
5. MVC/MVP/MVVM Architecture (Frontend)
MVC (Model-View-Controller):
- Model: Data
- View: Interface
- Controller: Control logic
MVP (Model-View-Presenter):
- Presenter replaces Controller
- More passive view
MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel):
- ViewModel links View and Model
- Automatic data binding
6. Event-Driven Architecture 📡
Principle: Communication via asynchronous events.
Advantages:
- Strong decoupling
- Reactivity
- Extensibility
Use cases: Real-time, IoT, notifications
7. Serverless / Functions
Principle: Functions triggered by events.
Advantages:
- No server management
- Automatic scaling
- Pay-per-use
Disadvantages:
- Cold start
- Provider dependency
- Complex debugging
How to choose?
| Criterion | Monolithic | Layered | Microservices | Serverless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | < 5 devs | < 10 devs | Several teams | Variable |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | High | Low-Medium |
| Scaling | Vertical | Vertical | Horizontal | Automatic |
| Initial cost | Low | Medium | High | Very low |
Anti-patterns to avoid
- Big Ball of Mud: Code without structure
- Golden Hammer: Solving everything with the same solution
- Over-Engineering: Unnecessarily complicating
- Premature Optimization: Optimizing too early
Golden rule 💡
Start simple. Evolve according to real needs, not imagined needs.