Ntiered

The term "n-tiered" refers to a software architecture model that organizes an application into multiple distinct layers or tiers, each with a specific role and responsibility. This architecture is designed to improve modularity, scalability, and maintainability. The "n" in n-tiered signifies that the architecture can have any number of tiers, although it is commonly implemented with three or more tiers.

In an n-tiered architecture, each tier typically communicates with the adjacent tiers through well-defined interfaces, often using protocols such as HTTP, RPC, or messaging queues. This separation of concerns allows for independent development, deployment, and scaling of each tier. Common tiers in an n-tiered architecture include:

1. Presentation Tier: This tier handles the user interface and user interactions. It is responsible for displaying data and capturing user input.

2. Business Logic Tier: This tier contains the core functionality of the application. It processes data, enforces business rules, and performs calculations.

3. Data Access Tier: This tier manages data storage and retrieval. It interacts with databases or other data sources to read and write data.

4. Additional Tiers: Depending on the complexity of the application, additional tiers may be included, such as a caching tier, a messaging tier, or a security tier.

N-tiered architecture is often contrasted with monolithic architecture, where all components of an application are tightly coupled and reside in a single codebase. The n-tiered approach offers several advantages, including improved fault isolation, easier maintenance, and the ability to leverage different technologies and platforms for each tier. However, it can also introduce complexity in terms of communication overhead and latency between tiers.