Definitions

Definition 1

An architectural pattern that consist in decomposing a complex system in horizontal layers corresponding to distinct levels of abstraction that are orthogonal to the system vertical functional subdivisions. From the base to the top, horizontal layers delegate tasks to and combine the services provided by their subjacent layer in a meaningful way and expose the resulting services to their superjacent layer.

This architectural patterns provides the following benefits:

• Increased stability by confining changes to components and their interfaces,

• Substitutability of components or layers,

• Reusability of components or layers,

• Readability by making it easier to learn and understand the overall system.

Examples

The OSI Network Model is one well-known implementation of the Layers Architectural Model.

Related Terms

• Architecture

• Architectural Pattern

Quotes

The Layers. archItectural pattern helps to structure applications that can be decomposed into groups of subtasks in which each group of subtasks Is at a partlcular level of abstraction.

Bibliography

• Buschmann et al., 1996

See Also