Architecture Is Not a Static Diagram: Standards Define It as Elements, Relationships & Evolution Principles

Reference Standards for Architecture Definition

The article examines how "architecture" is defined in two authoritative standards:

1. GB/T 8566-2022 (Chinese National Standard)

Architecture is described as: "The fundamental concepts or properties of a system in its environment, embodied in its elements, relationships, and the principles of its design and evolution."

2. ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 (International Standard)

Architecture is defined as: "The fundamental concepts or properties of a system in its environment, embodied in its elements, relationships, and the principles of its design and evolution." (The text appears nearly identical to the Chinese standard.)

Understanding Architecture: A Dynamic Abstraction

Synthesizing both standards, the author presents the core formula:

Architecture = Elements + Element Relationships & Design/Evolution Principles

This means architecture is not a static structure diagram , but a dynamic abstraction of a system interacting with its environment .

Four Key Aspects of Architectural Concern

Fundamental concepts or properties: Architecture focuses on the system's core concepts or properties, not all details.

System in its environment: Architecture considers the system within its environment and the environment's influence on the system.

Elements and relationships: Architecture describes the system's constituent parts and their interrelationships.

Design and evolution principles: Architecture includes the principles that guide the system's design and ongoing evolution.

Reference: GB, ISO Architecture Definitions