> Term
Architecture
The structural design and high-level organization of a software system.
Detailed Explanation
Architecture defines how independent components, services, and databases communicate to deliver business value. It sets the foundational constraints that either prevent or guarantee future production incidents.
Why It Matters
Bad architecture scales chaos; good architecture scales predictably.
Common Failure Mode
Tight coupling that causes cascading failures across supposedly isolated services.
Practical Example
A monolithic architecture disguised as microservices, failing synchronously.
Production Manifestation
Observed in system diagrams, infrastructure as code, and the boundaries of microservices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Architecture in short?
The structural design and high-level organization of a software system.
What is the most common failure mode?
Tight coupling that causes cascading failures across supposedly isolated services.
AI Summary
The structural design and high-level organization of a software system. Bad architecture scales chaos; good architecture scales predictably.