# Development

10 Software Architecture Patterns You Must Know About

Red Rocket teamApr 22, 20257 min read

When end customers use software, they perceive it as a complete product. However, only developers truly know that software is a multitude of important elements that interact with each other. In order for your product to work efficiently and properly, you must choose the right software architecture pattern. This is one of the most important components when creating software and you must know the key success factors.

In fact, there are many types of software architecture patterns available today. How do they differ, and which one should you choose for your case? Each of them has its own peculiarities, pros and cons, so the choice is not as easy as it seems. That's why in this article, we would like to share with you about 10 different architecture patterns. This material will help you choose the most suitable options for your project!

What is Software Architecture?

So, before we move on to reviewing the best templates, we need to clearly define what software architecture is and how it works in real life. In simple words, these are the basic principles that define a lot of parameters for your future project. For example, architecture describes the relationship between different elements of software. The difference between code-level implementation and architecture is that architecture cares about the big picture around modules, services, databases, and interfaces. It helps in deciding upon frameworks, deployment models, and system boundaries.

Essentially, architecture in software engineering is the blueprint for the product to be scalable, maintainable, and meet business goals. A solid architectural foundation enables teams to make consistent decisions without the risk of having to constantly rewrite the code as the product progresses.

Why are Software Architecture Patterns Important?

As you may have already realized, creating any software requires a clear vision and understanding for the development team. That's why the architecture is created first, and then it becomes the basis for the whole process. In turn, the architecture pattern allows you to quickly create the necessary structure. Here are some reasons why it is so important:

Patterns put uniform structure in the codebase;
This makes scaling of components easier without breaking the system;
Patterns help to design components that can be reused with very little effort.

This provides a shared vocabulary to team members and helps prevent the wheels from being reinvented. Instead of creating from scratch, you work off existing well-designed structures for performance, reliability, and scalability.

Design Patterns vs. Architecture Patterns

There is another concept that can often be encountered in software development. We talked about the term «design pattern», which is often confused with an architecture pattern. Why is that? Different from design patterns, which are small solutions to common programming challenges, there are ways into your implementation file and API to reduce boilerplate code. They are a tactical tool applied in a component or module.

Popular Types of Software Architecture Patterns

It all gets more complicated when beginners are faced with the necessity to choose the right option for the future architecture. If you google the question of how many software architecture patterns there are, you will definitely be surprised by their large number. That's why you should know which patterns are responsible for what, their disadvantages, advantages, and how to choose the best option. Below, we will tell you about the top 10 best patterns used by modern IT experts around the world.

1. Layered Architecture Pattern

The first and most popular pattern you've most likely heard of is layered architecture. Some IT specialists also call it n-tier. Why is it so? It breaks software into the layers and each defines the role, the main layer can define presentation, business logic, data access, and database. The system is easier to understand and to manage because each layer only interacts with the layer below it.

This architecture is most effective in the case when system requirements are established and responsibilities are properly defined. This is especially useful when you would like a predictable structure and maintainability when a team is involved. In certain applications, however, highly dynamic systems or performance-critical apps may require more flexible or more scalable alternatives.

2. Master-Slave Pattern

The master-slave pattern consists of one component (the master), which runs many subordinate components (slaves). They take tasks and return results in feedback.

In high-performance environments with a high degree of computation, this architecture pattern shines. It divides the tasks among slave components to get better throughput and responsiveness.

3. Event-Driven Pattern

In the event-driven architecture pattern, experts produce and react to the events. It has components (producers) that emit events and listeners (consumers) that react asynchronously.

If you have environments that need to handle large volumes of users’ interactions or real-time data, then they're perfect. However, despite this fact, reliable event tracking and failure recovery are a serious challenge for unprepared teams.

4. Microservices Pattern

A good use case of the microservices architecture is using the system in individual services, and then using APIs to communicate with each of those services. Each service is only a single business capability and thus can be developed, tested, and deployed independently.

This pattern is toward agile development and continuous delivery. Microservices give incredible value for money for adaptability, but come with a massive commitment to automation and testing of services as well as the orchestration of services.

5. Microkernel Pattern

The microkernel pattern splits core system functionality from extensible plug-in modules. Essential services are handled by the core, and other features are provided as independent extensions.

This is a fantastic approach for an application that calls for a solid core with less flexible feature sets. It is ideally appropriate for systems that require frequent evolution or support of many feature variations without affecting the core.

6. Client-Server Pattern

The difference in the client-server pattern is that a client asks for service and a server provides the service. It allows centralized control while spreading user interaction on different devices or interfaces.

This is a foundational and extremely simple model for a lot of internet-based systems with an adherence to simplicity and control, especially where you need consistent data access.

7. Space-Based Pattern

A space-based pattern is designed to handle scalability and performance with high concurrent loads in a system. Spaces are used for shared memory and coordination, but it is also a distributed processing and storage in multiple nodes.

This pattern has been built for speed and scale, and as such, it is a winner for systems that need to handle episodic or bursty nondeterministic user activity.

8. Pipe-Filter Pattern

Pipe-filter is a pattern where developers process data through a sequence of steps, a filtering step performs a certain function, and pipes the result to the next. It allows for reusability and modularity in the data transformation workflow.

The pipe-filter architecture pattern is a perfect match for batch-processing scenarios where inputs must be refined step-by-step in a predictable flow.

9. Broker Pattern

The Broker pattern facilitates communication between clients and servers using a broker component. Service discovery, coordination, and message passing are handled, facilitating loosely coupled and scalable distributed systems.

The broker pattern is ideal for large distributed applications and makes integration manageable, and services are independent to evolve.

10. Peer-to-Peer Pattern

In the peer-to-peer architecture, each node will be acting as both client and server, sharing resources directly with other peers. This makes the system decentralized and resilient, as no centralized authority guides it.

Systems that need decentralization, redundancy, user-driven content of computation, where central servers are not feasible, benefit the most from P2P.

Need a Custom Development Solution?

Let’s collaborate to help your business.

Can a Project Succeed Without a Software Architect?

Many beginners often wonder if it's possible to start building software without architecture. Technically, you can do it. However, you won't be able to get a guarantee that your product will work as planned. Moreover, for large digital products, having the right architecture is simply a must-have item.

If you're struggling with pattern selection or creating the right software architecture, you've come to the right place. At Red Rocket, we have been developing software for many years for different industries. We will analyze your requirements, create a project roadmap, choose the right pattern, and create an architecture. This will become a solid foundation for building a product that meets your requirements. Our team offers turnkey services, allowing you to focus your efforts on other important issues.

Final Thoughts

At the end of this article, you might have a question about which architecture pattern to choose and it is quite logical. Now you know about the 10 best options and it will be easier for you to choose the right patterns. The most important thing is to clearly analyze your requirements and industry peculiarities to understand what architecture should describe your future project.

Frequently asked questions

Can I сombine different architecture patterns in one project?

Yes, you can combine different architectural patterns in one project to leverage their strengths. For instance, using a client-server architecture alongside the microkernel architecture can enhance your software system. This approach allows for flexible communication between components and supports various software applications. When selecting an architecture pattern, consider common software design patterns like the MVC pattern or n-tier architecture pattern. These popular software architecture patterns help structure your software design effectively. Additionally, using an event bus can facilitate interactions across various types of components.

What is the best software architecture pattern?

It is quite difficult to name the best software architecture pattern, because each of them has its own features, pros, and cons. However, the most frequently used option is the Layered pattern or as it is called, n-tier architecture. The main reason is that most applications use this architecture. This makes developers work with it more often than with other variants.

Do different industries require different architecture patterns?

Surely! Architectural templates that are suitable for one industry may be completely inappropriate for another industry. Each industry has its own peculiarities, nuances and requirements, so you should perform a detailed analysis before making a final choice. For example, healthcare applications often rely on layered or service-oriented architectures. At this time, eCommerce project usually requires a microservices pattern.

All articles

Contact Us

Interested in joining? Contact us to create a high-quality digital product together.