Design vs Architecture

[Danish Shaukat]

Hi all,

A question related to software engineering�. What is the difference between design and architecture?

Danish

[rohit leeta]

Architecture is the result of a design process.

[Stan James]

Architecture is design at some given level of scope or abstraction. Here are some pages I wrote a few years ago. I think I still believe most of it. Maybe I should look to make sure.

[Danish Shaukat]

Thanks a lot everyone!

"Almost all definitions I found brought out the idea that architecture is not the finest details of design, but the higher (or highest!) levels of style and overall shape and structure."

So in layman terms I can say that architecture is design at the highest level.

Danish

[Jesus Angeles]

On a big project where architecture plays a role distinct to design, architect is very close to the users and requirement specifiers.

The output of an architecture step is input to design.

Architecture output must satisfy the requirements, not leaving requirement issues on the design step. Design could be the link between the architectural requirements, and the programmer.

[Serap Elbeyoglu]

Hello to all of you,

I think programing architecture is very important subject to understand Java codings. I have ordered a book related to Java's architecture. (Computer Organization and Architecture by William Stallings )

Also want to learn your thoughts & recommends. Can you suggest a book or web page about Java Architecture / JVM Architecture?

[Pat Farrell]

Danish Shaukat wrote: What is the difference between design and architecture?

Mostly that if you are doing "system architecture" you can charge higher billing rates than you can for doing "system design"

I hate the way folks have screwed up the use, and even parts of speach for "architecture" and "design". Its a sign of a poor education to talk about how "The systems was architected to do X and Y and Z"

An Architect is a person who designs. The result of the Architect's work is a design.

At a high level, it makes sense to talk about architectural differences. The Taj Mahal is a house, as is mine, but there are differences. And there is a difference in architecture between a flat in London and my suburban house in Virginia.

[Janeice DelVecchio]

Serap, you should start a new topic for your question. Asking your question in someone else's thread is considered hijacking... and goes against our JavaRanch policy of "Be Nice"

[Serap Elbeyoglu]

I am nice Janeice DelVecchio
Ok, I will ask my question another topic. I thought, this topic is related to my question and wanted to ask.