1. System Architecture :
System architecture is a conceptual model that describes the structure and behavior of multiple components and subsystems like multiple software applications, network devices, hardware, and even other machinery of a system. It is Architecture Description Language (ADL) which helps to describe the entire system architecture. So it is a much broader topic. System architecture can be broadly categorize into centralized and decentralized architectural organizations.
2. Software Architecture :
Software architecture refers to the process of creating high level structure of a software system. It is about the complete structure/architecture of the overall system means it converts software characteristics like scalability, security, reusability, extensibility, modularity, maintainability, etc. into structured solutions to meet the business requirement. Multiple high-level architecture patterns and principles are followed during defining architecture of a system. It mainly focuses more on externally visible components of the system and their interaction with each other.
Difference between System Architecture and Software Architecture :
| S.No. | SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE | SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | System architecture is a conceptual model that describes the structure and behavior of multiple components and subsystems like multiple software applications, network devices, hardware, and even other machinery of a system. | Software architecture refers to the process of creating high level structure of a software system. |
| 02. | It focuses on the entire system. | Where as software architecture focuses on the components. |
| 03. | Various types of system architectures are Hardware architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Collaborative system architecture. | Various software architecture patterns include Serverless Architecture, Event Driven Architecture, Micro Service Architecture. |
| 04. | It helps to define low level infrastructure of a software. | It helps to define high level infrastructure of a software. |
| 05. | What we are building overall is system architecture. | What we are building individually is software architecture. |
| 06. | System architecture includes elements of both software and hardware and is used to enable design of such a composite system. | Software architecture considers different factors such as Business strategy, human dynamics, quality attributes, design, and IT environment etc. |
| 07. | It defines structure, behavior and view of a system. | It defines the solutions to meet technical and business requirements. |
| 08. | So in one line overall view of all components and their relationship is called system architecture. | So in one line individual component and its relationship with other is called software architecture. |
| 09. | For example system architecture of an order entering system contains web front end, business layer service, web backend, data base etc. | For example software architecture is one component of ordering system is web front end which consist of responsive user interface, view controller, web services and many more. |
