structurethree

Structurethree is a conceptual framework used in information systems and software architecture that organizes system components into three distinct structural layers. It emphasizes separation of concerns, modularity, and clear interfaces to improve maintainability, scalability, and testability.

Origin and usage: The term structurethree emerged in professional practice and academic discussions in the late 2010s, drawing on the broader tradition of multi-layered architectures. It is not a universally standardized specification but a design approach that practitioners apply to diverse domains, including web applications, enterprise systems, and data processing pipelines.

Core components and layering: The framework partitions a system into three layers: the data and domain layer (the core data models and domain logic), the process or business logic layer (rules, workflows, and coordination of tasks), and the presentation or interface layer (user interfaces and external APIs). Each layer communicates through well-defined interfaces, and dependencies generally point inward toward the core, aligning with dependency inversion principles.

Design considerations: While similar to three-tier and onion architectures, structurethree emphasizes triadic partitioning rather than deployment boundaries. Benefits include improved testability via isolated layers, easier substitution of components, and clearer paths for reuse. Common practices include domain services, a persistence gateway, and adapter patterns for external systems to integrate legacy data or services.

Applications and examples: It is used in web services, enterprise modules, and data ingestion pipelines where separate persistence, business rules, and presentation concerns are desired. An example might include a REST API that delegates validation and business rules to a domain layer, maps domain objects to a persistence model, and renders responses through a presentation layer.

Relation to other architectures and critique: Structurethree is related to but distinct from the three-tier architecture, Model–View–Controller, onion, and hexagonal architectures. Critics note that the label can be used loosely and that over-engineering can occur if layers are not meaningfully separated or if responsibilities are blurred.