Reference Architecture: A Guide for IT Professionals — Explained Simply

Joel George
2 min readJan 17, 2023

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Photo by Kaleidico on Unsplash

Reference architecture is a term used to describe a framework or blueprint for the design and implementation of a specific type of system. It’s like a set of instructions that tells you how all the different parts of the system should be put together and how they should work together. This is particularly useful for large-scale systems that are composed of many different components and subsystems. By providing a common framework for these components, reference architecture ensures that they will work together seamlessly and that they will be able to meet the needs of the organisation.

One example of reference architecture is the three-tier architecture, which is a common design pattern for building web applications. It separates the application into three separate tiers: the presentation tier, the application tier, and the data tier. The presentation tier handles the user interface, the application tier handles business logic, and the data tier handles data storage and retrieval. By using a reference architecture like the three-tier architecture, developers can ensure that their web application is properly structured and that it will be easy to maintain and scale. Additionally, by adhering to this reference architecture, developers can ensure that their application will be compatible with other systems and that it will be able to meet the needs of the organisation.

Reference architecture is an important tool for IT professionals. It provides a framework for the design and implementation of complex systems and ensures that these systems will be able to meet the needs of the organisation. By using reference architecture, IT professionals can ensure that their systems are properly structured, easy to maintain, and compatible with other systems.

In simpler terms, reference architecture is like a blueprint or plan that helps ensure that a complex system is built correctly and can meet the needs of the organisation. It’s similar to a blueprint for building a house that shows the builder where the rooms should be, how big they should be and how they should be connected. In the case of software systems and computer programs, reference architecture helps developers to know how to structure their code, how the different parts of the software should interact, and how the final product will be able to meet the needs of the users.

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