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Application Architecture Diagram Online Drawing

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Application Architecture Diagram Online Drawing
What is Application Architecture Diagram

The application architecture diagram, also known as the logical architecture diagram, is a visual tool used to describe the structure of an application and the interactions between its components. The design of application architecture originates from the information technology needs in the 5W1H business research form, combined with the definition of the five elements of business components, and the current construction status of existing information systems to sort out the current IT application status. The current application architecture is derived through analysis.

The application architecture diagram includes the hierarchical structure of applications, components, data flow, and interactions, helping to understand and design complex applications. It is generally divided into: presentation layer, data layer, application logic layer, and basic common layer.

The application architecture diagram plays a bridging role among all architecture diagrams, connecting the implementation of business models and product functions upwards, and guiding the design and expansion of technical modules downwards. The application architecture diagram is also the overall architecture for the entire system implementation, and needs to indicate the system's hierarchy, principles of system development, and application services at each system level.

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ProcessOn Application Architecture Diagram Key Features

Online Collaboration

Supports real-time multi-user co-creation with shareable links for instant information transfer

Online Collaboration
One-Click AI Generation

Automatically generates graphics from text input and applies style enhancements

One-Click AI Generation
Personalized Style Customization

Prebuilt themes with full customization for personalized designs

Personalized Style Customization
Multiple Component Types

Supports icons, images, labels, LaTeX formulas, code blocks, links, attachments and more

Multiple Component Types
Multi-Format Compatibility

Export: PNG, VISIO, PDF, SVG | Import: VISIO, Mermaid

Multi-Format Compatibility
Cross-Device Sync

Real-time cloud storage, multi-device sync, version history, and secure data protection

Cross-Device Sync
Detailed Classification of Architecture Diagrams

In the internet industry, architecture diagrams serve as an important tool for visualizing the architecture of software, systems, applications, and the relationships between their components. Common types of architecture diagrams include business architecture diagrams, application architecture diagrams, system architecture diagrams, technical architecture diagrams, deployment architecture diagrams, data architecture diagrams, product architecture diagrams, functional architecture diagrams, information architecture diagrams, etc.

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Detailed
Elements of Application Architecture Diagrams

Application System: Software systems used internally or externally by enterprises, represented by rectangular boxes

Module/Sub-system: Functional modules within the application, represented by nested boxes or grouped areas

Interfaces between Systems: Data flow, service calls, etc., between systems, represented by arrows

Business Objects/Data Flow: Business data transferred through systems, distinguished by labels, swimlanes, colors

Users or Business Roles: Users or organizations using the system, represented by humanoid icons

Interface Technology: Such as REST, SOAP, MQ, FTP, databases, etc., annotated on connection lines

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Elements
Layering Methods of Application Architecture

Horizontal Layering, dividing applications according to the order of functional processing, such as dividing the system into web front-end/middle services/back-end tasks, which is a division oriented towards business depth.

Vertical Layering, dividing applications according to different business types, such as dividing an inventory management system into three independent applications, which is a division oriented towards business breadth.

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Layering
Hierarchical Structure of Application Architecture Diagrams

Three-Tier Architecture: Presentation layer, business logic layer, and data access layer.

Four-Tier Architecture: Presentation layer, application layer, business logic layer, and data access layer.

Other Layering Structures: Can be layered according to the actual needs of the application, such as microservices architecture, event-driven architecture, etc.

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Hierarchical
Division and Integration of Application Architecture Diagrams

The division of applications leans towards business, reflecting the business architecture, while the integration leans towards technology, affecting the technical architecture.
Division reduces business complexity, making the system more orderly, while integration increases technical complexity, making the system more disorderly.

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Division
Design Steps of Application Architecture Diagrams

1. Based on the business architecture diagram, convert business to IT, identifying applications and components (linked to business architecture)
2. Optimize applications and components, maintaining consistent granularity through splitting and aggregation
3. Design the relationship between applications and business functions, processes, data
4. Design application integration, interaction, development (linked to technical architecture)

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Design

Application Architecture Diagram How to Draw?

Application Architecture DiagramHow to Draw?
1
Create a "Architecture Diagram" or "Flowchart", then add "UML Use Case Diagram" symbols to the drawing area, as "Container" symbols will be used during the creation process
2
Layering: Create user layer, presentation layer, application layer, service layer, business logic layer, data layer, etc., in the drawing area based on the business architecture
3
Filling: Fill in detailed content in each layer, ensuring consistency in granularity across elements and no omissions
4
Add relationships: Add interaction relationships between layers using lines + arrows
5
Layout the positions of each component, using the distribute align function to quickly adjust component positions
6
Unify the colors of each layer to better showcase the overall structure and relationships between layers
7
Check and confirm the diagram is correct, and thus, a professional application architecture diagram is completed
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Application Architecture Diagram Drawing Guide

  • How to create a clear architecture diagram? A must for product and developer

    How to create a clear architecture diagram? A must for product and developer

    The architecture diagram graphically displays the components of the architecture and the relationships between them, providing an intuitive and comprehensive view of the system. Common architecture diagrams include business architecture diagrams, product architecture diagrams, functional architecture diagrams, technical architecture diagrams, data architecture diagrams, deployment architecture diagrams, etc., which can help different roles (such as developers, operation and maintenance personnel, product managers, etc.) understand and analyze the system from different perspectives. This article will explain in detail the types of architecture diagrams and how to use ProcessOn to draw a clear architecture diagram.
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  • The Complete Guide to Software Architecture Diagrams: Concepts, Tutorials, and Examples

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  • What is an architecture diagram? Drawing tutorial and application examples

    What is an architecture diagram? Drawing tutorial and application examples

    In today's era of rapid information development, both start-ups and large multinational companies cannot do without the support of complex and efficient information systems. These systems are like precision-operated machines, and architecture diagrams are the blueprints for designing and maintaining these machines. This article will explain architecture diagrams from the perspectives of their concepts, functions, drawing methods, and application cases.
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  • Microservices Architecture Diagram Guide : Concepts, Creation Tutorials, and Templates

    Microservices Architecture Diagram Guide : Concepts, Creation Tutorials, and Templates

    In the field of software engineering, microservice architecture has become an important method for building complex and scalable systems. As a developer, understanding microservice architecture diagrams is not only the key to mastering system design, but also an essential skill for optimizing and maintaining systems. This article will introduce the basic concepts, application scenarios, creation ideas, and drawing steps of microservice architecture diagrams in detail to help developers better understand and apply this tool.
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  • 5 must-see product architecture diagrams for advanced product directors of large companies

    5 must-see product architecture diagrams for advanced product directors of large companies

    The product architecture diagram is a diagram used by product managers to express their product design mechanisms. It implements product functions into an information-based, modular, and clearly layered visual architecture, and uses different layers of interactive relationships, combinations of functional modules, data and The flow of information is used to convey the business process, business model and design ideas of the product. It is one of the indispensable documents when designing complex products.
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  • How to draw an AWS architecture diagram? Components, icons, examples

    How to draw an AWS architecture diagram? Components, icons, examples

    AWS architecture diagram is a visual tool that depicts the connections and interactions between AWS resources, services, and components. Through the architecture diagram, users can clearly see how their AWS environment is built and how the various components work together. This article will explain AWS architecture diagram through the concepts, applications, symbols, creation tutorials, examples, etc. of AWS architecture diagram.
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Application Architecture Diagram Template Recommendations

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Application Architecture Diagram Frequently asked questions

What is the relationship between application architecture diagrams and business architecture diagrams, technical architecture diagrams?

Business architecture is strategy, application architecture is tactics, and technical architecture is equipment. Among them, application architecture serves as a bridge, connecting the implementation of business architecture and influencing technical choices. Therefore, the correct process is: familiarize with the business, form a business architecture, create a corresponding application architecture based on the business architecture, and finally implement the technical architecture.

What is the difference between application architecture diagrams and system architecture diagrams?

The core difference between application architecture and system architecture lies in the scope of focus and design level. Application architecture focuses on the functional implementation and technical structure of software systems, while system architecture encompasses the comprehensive design of the entire system, including hardware, software, networks, and coordinates non-functional requirements.

How to choose the appropriate application architecture?

The choice of application architecture is influenced by business complexity, including the stage of enterprise development and business characteristics, as well as by technical feasibility, including the stage of IT technology development and the level of internal technical personnel. Business complexity inevitably brings technical complexity, and the goal of application architecture is to solve business complexity while avoiding excessive technical complexity, ensuring the implementation of business architecture.

How is the service layer defined in an application architecture diagram?

The service layer plays the role of processing core business logic in the application architecture. It is the central layer in the application architecture, mainly responsible for handling the core business logic of the application. The service layer does not directly perform any tasks but calls the data access layer for data persistence operations and returns execution results.

What are the key elements of application architecture?

Structure: Structure is the primary element of application architecture. It defines the arrangement and combination of various components in the system. A clear structure can divide a complex software system into several relatively independent and functionally clear modules, thereby reducing system complexity and improving development efficiency.

Interaction Mechanism: The interaction mechanism stipulates how various components in the system communicate and cooperate to achieve the set functional goals. An efficient interaction mechanism can ensure smooth and unobstructed information flow between system components, reducing data transmission delays and errors, thereby improving the overall performance of the system.

What are the characteristics of a practical application architecture diagram?

1. Clear boundaries, defined interfaces
2. Understandable, maintainable, updatable
3. Supports communication, guides implementation, aids decision-making

What software is good for drawing application architecture diagrams?

Choosing the right software tool is crucial when drawing application architecture diagrams. Different tools are suitable for different usage scenarios, user groups, and modeling depths. ProcessOn is an online drawing tool that is particularly convenient for drawing application architecture diagrams. It has built-in architectural diagram components and a vast array of application architecture diagram templates, allowing you to quickly and conveniently draw application architecture diagrams.

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