Software Architecture (Coursera)

The way that software components — subroutines, classes, functions, etc. — are arranged, and the interactions between them, is called architecture. In this course you will study the ways these architectures are represented, both in UML and other visual tools. We will introduce the most common architectures, their qualities, and tradeoffs. We will talk about how architectures are evaluated, what makes a good architecture, and an architecture can be improved. We'll also talk about how the architecture touches on the process of software development.

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In the Capstone Project you will document a Java-based Android application with UML diagrams and analyze evaluate the application’s architecture using the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM).

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Compare and contrast the components, connections, protocols, topologies, constraints, tradeoffs, and variations of different types of architectural styles used in the design of applications and systems (e.g., main program and subroutine, object-oriented, interpreters, pipes and filters, database centric, event-based).

• Describe the properties of layered and n-tier architectures.

• Create UML ipackage, component, and deployment diagrams to express the architectural structure of a system.

• Explain the behaviour of a system using UML activity diagrams.

• Document a multi-application system with a layered architecture.

Course 3 of 4 in the Software Design and Architecture Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1

UML Architecture Diagrams

In this module you will learn about software architecture. You will learn why architecture is important, what perspectives need to be considered, and how to communicate architecture using UML.

WEEK 2

Architectural Styles

Software comes in all shapes and sizes. The architecture you choose will affect every part of your software, from its security and efficiency, to its modularity and maintainability. In this module we will examine the different architectures that you have to choose from to shape your software.

WEEK 3

Architecture in Practice

The architecture is the most fundamental aspect of software. You will learn how development teams describe architectures, plan successful architectures based on quality attributes, and evaluate the resulting architecture. You will also learn how architecture relates to organization structure and even product planning!

WEEK 4

Capstone Challenge

Now, in the final module of the course, you will evaluate the proposed architecture to extend the functionality of the example Android code base.

Software Design and Architecture Specialization

Architecture

Software Architecture

UML

Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method