presentation layer in three tier architecture

Three-tier architecture is a well-established software application architecture that organizes applications into three logical and physical computing tiers: the presentation tier, or user interface; the application tier, where data is processed; and the data tier, where application data is stored and managed.

The chief benefit of three-tier architecture is that because each tier runs on its own infrastructure, each tier can be developed simultaneously by a separate development team. And can be updated or scaled as needed without impacting the other tiers.

For decades three-tier architecture was the prevailing architecture for client-server applications. Today, most three-tier applications are targets for modernization that uses cloud-native technologies such as containers and microservices and for migration to the cloud.

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Presentation tier

The presentation tier is the user interface and communication layer of the application, where the end user interacts with the application. Its main purpose is to display information to and collect information from the user. This top-level tier can run on a web browser, as desktop application, or a graphical user interface (GUI), for example. Web presentation tiers are developed by using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Desktop applications can be written in various languages depending on the platform.

Application tier

The application tier, also known as the logic tier or middle tier, is the heart of the application. In this tier, information that is collected in the presentation tier is processed - sometimes against other information in the data tier - using business logic, a specific set of business rules. The application tier can also add, delete, or modify data in the data tier. 

The application tier is typically developed by using Python, Java, Perl, PHP or Ruby, and communicates with the data tier by using  API  calls. 

The data tier, sometimes called database tier, data access tier or back-end, is where the information that is processed by the application is stored and managed. This can be a  relational database management system  such as  PostgreSQL , MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, Db2, Informix or Microsoft SQL Server, or in a  NoSQL  Database server such as Cassandra,  CouchDB , or  MongoDB . 

In a three-tier application, all communication goes through the application tier. The presentation tier and the data tier cannot communicate directly with one another.

Tier versus layer

In discussions of three-tier architecture,  layer  is often used interchangeably – and mistakenly – for  tier , as in 'presentation layer' or 'business logic layer'. 

They aren't the same. A 'layer' refers to a functional division of the software, but a 'tier' refers to a functional division of the software that runs on infrastructure separate from the other divisions. The Contacts app on your phone, for example, is a  three - layer  application, but a  single-tier  application, because all three layers run on your phone.

The difference is important because layers can't offer the same benefits as tiers.

Again, the chief benefit of three-tier architecture is its logical and physical separation of functionality. Each tier can run on a separate operating system and server platform - for example, web server, application server, database server - that best fits its functional requirements. And each tier runs on at least one dedicated server hardware or virtual server, so the services of each tier can be customized and optimized without impacting the other tiers. 

Other benefits (compared to single- or two-tier architecture) include:

• Faster development : Because each tier can be developed simultaneously by different teams, an organization can bring the application to market faster. And programmers can use the latest and best languages and tools for each tier.
• Improved scalability : Any tier can be scaled independently of the others as needed.
• Improved reliability : An outage in one tier is less likely to impact the availability or performance of the other tiers.
• Improved security : Because the presentation tier and data tier can't communicate directly, a well-designed application tier can function as an internal firewall, preventing SQL injections and other malicious exploits.

In web development, the tiers have different names but perform similar functions:

• The web server  is the presentation tier and provides the user interface. This is usually a web page or website, such as an ecommerce site where the user adds products to the shopping cart, adds payment details or creates an account. The content can be static or dynamic, and is developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• The application server  corresponds to the middle tier, housing the business logic that is used to process user inputs. To continue the ecommerce example, this is the tier that queries the inventory database to return product availability, or adds details to a customer's profile. This layer often developed using Python, Ruby, or PHP and runs a framework such as Django, Rails, Symphony, or ASP.NET.
• The database server  is the data or backend tier of a web application. It runs on database management software, such as MySQL, Oracle, DB2, or PostgreSQL.

While three-tier architecture is easily the most widely adopted multitier application architecture, there are others that you might encounter in your work or your research.

Two-tier architecture 

Two-tier architecture is the original client-server architecture, consisting of a presentation tier and a data tier; the business logic lives in the presentation tier, the data tier or both. In two-tier architecture the presentation tier - and therefore the end user - has direct access to the data tier, and the business logic is often limited. A simple contact management application, where users can enter and retrieve contact data, is an example of a two-tier application. 

N-tier architecture

N-tier architecture - also called or multitier architecture - refers to  any  application architecture with more than one tier. But applications with more than three layers are rare because extra layers offer few benefits and can make the application slower, harder to manage and more expensive to run. As a result, n-tier architecture and multitier architecture are usually synonyms for three-tier architecture.

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A Guide To 3-Tier Architecture

A well-structured and organized solution is crucial for maintainability and scalability in software development. The 3-Tier architecture clarifies concerns, allowing developers to manage the application logic, data access, and presentation layers separately. In this article, we will explore the benefits of this architecture and learn how to implement it in a Visual Studio solution using C#. 

Different Architectures

There are many types of architectures you can use for your applications. You just have to find the one that suits your needs. I like the 3-tier architecture. It’s small, simple, and easy to create. But in some cases, I might change it because of my needs.

There are 9 known architectures we use these days in C#:

• Monolithic architecture
• Microservices architecture
• 3-tier architecture
• Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture
• Model-View-Presenter (MVP) architecture
• Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) architecture
• Event-Driven architecture
• Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
• Client-Server architecture

I am not going to explain them all. It will become a very large page. But the top 3 popular architectures are:

• Microservices architecture A way to break down a large and complex application into smaller, independent services that are connected. They communicate with each other through APIs. This architecture is becoming popular with bigger projects. You can maintain and deploy the smaller projects more easily.
• 3-tier architecture This type of architecture separates an application into three logical components: the presentation layer, the application layer, and the data layer. This separation of concerns provides better scalability, maintainability, and ease of development.
• Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture  Well-known if you have created web applications and/or  APIs  with C#. It is a design that separates the application logic from the user interface. The Model component represents the data and the business logic, the View component displays the data, and the Controller component handles user input and updates the Model. This separation of concerns provides a more organized and maintainable codebase.

This tutorial explains the 3-tier architecture a bit further. Mainly because we use this one the most.

The 3-Tier Architecture

This architecture separates the application into three logical components. These three layers help to maintain the code and separation of concern. But for me, it has a different reason I use this architecture: reusability. 

Especially at a time when you might want to create a Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, and iOS app that does the same thing. Do you create the same class over and over again? No, you create a class library with the logic and reference that library in all the projects that need the logic. If something changes in the class library, all other projects get updated.

Three Different Layers

Each layer has its own responsibility but only talks to one other layer. The presentation layer only talks to the application layer and the application layer only talks to the data layer. That means that if you want to show a list of movies, for example, you need to ask the application layer which will ask the data layer. The application layer will send the information of the data layer to the presentation layer. The presentation layer never talks to the data layer directly.

The Data Layer

The first layer I am discussing is the data layer. Maybe the name already tells you what this layer is about: Data. It could be data from a database or a file. Generally speaking, we use this layer to transport data from and to a data source.

This layer does not contain any form of logic. It just sends or retrieves data from the data source. Nothing special. Logic is placed in the application layer.

If you have multiple data sources you need to manage, you can create multiple data layers and bring them together in the application by using dependency injection.

The data layer is a layer that is disappearing a bit. Before we had ORMs, like  Entity Framework , we had to write a lot of code to retrieve and send data from and to a database. With Entity Framework, we don’t need that anymore. That is the reason the logic for the database is moving to the application layer.

The Application Layer

This layer is the beating heart for all your logic. Here you combine logic with the data from the data layer. This layer is responsible for calculations and decisions before sending the data to your presentation layer.

The application layer is often called the business layer. This is a small heritage from the time we had the DLL (data layer library) and the BLL (business layer library). In my projects, I usually call it the business.

For example, the presentation layer requests a list of movies, ordered by title. The application layer will retrieve all the movies from the data layer and sort them by title.

This layer does nothing with the data source directly. The reason is simple: The application layer should never know what kind of data source you use. If you implement dependency injection, the data source can change. Even the whole data layer can change (except for the interface). But the application layer should always be working without changing it.

You can have multiple application layers. I created a logger once. A simple logger that stores messages in a file. But later I needed a logger that stored the messages in a database. I didn’t want two loggers in the single class library representing my application layer. So I created a second application layer for the logger.

It’s usually this layer we  unit test  because it contains the most important code of our application.

The Presentation Layer

And last but not least; the presentation layer. This layer is what a user sees. It could be a console application, WinForms, or an API. It’s the one that gives output that a user or a client application can work with. This layer is also referred to as the top-most layer in this architecture.

It is responsible for presenting the data from the application layer in a user-friendly way. Examples of user-friendly are web pages, WinForms, and mobile apps.

A console application or a WinForms application has a clear GUI. You can click on stuff and it works. An API doesn’t have that. But it does expose JSON (or XML if you want). An API is considered a front-end application.

Conclusion On A Guide to 3-Tier Architecture

The 3-tier architecture is the most used because it’s easy to understand and implement. I encourage you to use this if you just start or create a small project. If you have a really, really small project; make your life easier, and don’t use layers.

The idea behind these layers is to separate data, logic, and application. I think the names are a bit confusing and most people think the application layer is the front end, but that’s the presentation layer. And that is why I call the application layer the business layer.

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The Benefits of a Three-Layered Application Architecture

The three-layered (or three-tiered) application architecture has served for decades as the fundamental design framework for modern software development. It came to the fore in the 1990s as the predominant development approach for client-server applications and is still widely used today. Many organizations continue to depend on three-layer Java applications for some of their most business-critical processing.

With the cloud now dominating today’s technological landscape, businesses are facing the necessity of modernizing their legacy apps to integrate them into the cloud. But the traditional three-layer architecture has proved to be inadequate for cloud-centric computing. Java apps that employ that pattern are typically monolithic in structure, meaning that the entire codebase (including all three layers) is implemented as a single unit. And monoliths just don’t work well in the cloud .

In this article, we’ll examine the benefits and limitations of the three-layered application architecture to see how we can retain the benefits while not being hobbled by the limitations as we modernize legacy apps for the cloud.

What Is the Three-Layer Architecture?

The three-layer architecture organizes applications into three logical layers: the presentation layer, the application layer, and the data layer. This separation is logical and not necessarily physical—all three layers can run on the same device (which is normally the case with legacy Java apps) or each might execute in a different environment.

The Presentation Layer

This is the user interface (UI) layer through which users interact with the application. This layer might be implemented as a web browser or as a graphical user interface (GUI) in a desktop or mobile app. Its function is to present information from the application to the user, and collect information from the user and deliver it to the application for processing.

The Application Layer

The application layer, also called the middle, logic, or business logic layer, is the heart of the application. It’s where the information processing that accomplishes the core functions of the app takes place. It stands between the presentation and data layers and acts as the intermediary between them—they cannot communicate with each other directly, but only through the application layer.

The Data Layer

This is the layer that stores, manages, and retrieves the application’s data. Java apps typically use commonly available relational or NoSQL database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.

Benefits of the Three-Layer Architecture

According to IBM , although the terms “three-layer” and “three-tier” are commonly used interchangeably, they aren’t the same. In a three-tier app, the tiers may execute in separate runtime environments, but in a three-layer app, all layers run in the same environment. IBM cites the contacts function on your mobile phone as an example of an app that has three layers but only a single tier.

Most legacy Java apps have a three-layer rather than three-tier architecture. That’s important because some of the benefits of the three-tier architecture may be lost or minimized in three-layer implementations. Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits of three-layer and three-tier architectures.

1. Faster Development

Because the tiers or layers can be handled by different teams and developed simultaneously, the overall development schedule can be shortened. In smaller Java apps all layers are likely to be handled by a single team, while larger projects commonly use separate teams for each layer.

2. Greater Maintainability

Dividing the code into functionally distinct segments encourages separation of concerns , which is “the idea that each module or layer in an application should only be responsible for one thing and should not contain code that deals with other things.” 

This makes the codebase much cleaner, more understandable, and more maintainable. This benefit may be limited, however, because legacy app developers often failed to strictly enforce separation of concerns in their designs.

3. Improved Scalability

When a three-tier application is deployed across multiple runtime environments, each tier can scale independently. But because a three-layer monolithic app normally executes as a single process, you can’t scale just a portion of it—to get better performance for any layer or function, you must scale the entire app. This is normally accomplished through horizontal scaling; that is, by running multiple instances of the app, often with a load balancer to distribute work to the instances.

4. Better Security

The fact that the presentation and database layers are isolated from each other and can communicate only through the application layer enhances security. Users cannot directly access or manipulate the database, and safeguards can be built into the application layer to ensure that only authorized users and requests are served.

5. Greater Reliability

The fact that the app’s functionality is divided into three distinct parts makes isolating and correcting faults, bugs, and performance issues easier and quicker.

Related: Application Modernization and Optimization: What Does It Mean?

Limitations of the three-layer architecture.

The three-tier architecture worked well for client-server applications but is far less suited for the modern cloud environment. In fact, its limitations became evident so quickly that Gartner made the following unequivocal declaration in 2016:

“The three-tier application architecture is obsolete and no longer meets the needs of modern applications.”

Let’s take a look at some of those limitations, particularly as they apply to three-layered monolithic Java apps.

1. Limited Scalability

Cloud-native apps are typically highly flexible in terms of their scalability because only functions or services that are causing performance issues need to be scaled up. Monolithic three-layered apps are just the opposite—to scale any part requires scaling the entire app, which often leads to a costly waste of compute and infrastructure resources.

2. Low Flexibility

In today’s volatile environment, app developers must respond quickly to rapidly changing requirements. But the layers of monolithic codebases are typically so tightly coupled that making even small changes can be a complex, time-consuming, and risky process. Because three-layer Java apps typically run as a single process, changing any function in any layer, even for minor bug fixes, requires that the entire app be rebuilt, retested, and redeployed.

3. High Complexity

The tight coupling between layers and functions in a monolithic codebase can make figuring out what the code does and how it does it very difficult. Not only does each layer have its own set of internal dependencies, but there may be significant inter-layer dependencies that aren’t immediately apparent.

4. Limited Technology Options

In a monolithic app, all functions are typically written and implemented using the same technology stack. That limits the ability of developers to take advantage of other languages, frameworks, or resources that might better serve a particular function or service.

5. Lower Security

The tight functional coupling between layers in monolithic apps may make them less secure because unintended pathways might exist in the code that allow users to access the database outside of the restrictions imposed by the application layer.

The App Modernization Imperative

Most companies that depend on legacy Java apps recognize that modernizing those apps is critical for continued marketplace success. In fact, in a recent survey of IT leaders, 87% said that modernizing their Java apps is the #1 IT priority in their organization.

But what, exactly, does modernization mean? IBM defines it this way:

“Application modernization refers primarily to transforming monolithic legacy applications into cloud applications built on microservices architecture.”

In other words, application modernization is about restructuring three-layer monolithic apps to a cloud-native microservices architecture . A microservice is a small unit of code that performs a single task and operates independently. That independence, in contrast to the tight coupling in monolithic code, allows any microservice to be updated without impacting the rest of the app.

Related: What Are the Benefits of Microservices Architecture?

Other advantages of a microservices architecture include simplicity, flexibility, scalability, and freedom to choose the appropriate implementation technology for each service. In fact, you could say that with the microservice architecture, all of the deficiencies that afflict the traditional three-layer architecture in the cloud are turned into strengths.

How Not to Modernize Three-Layer Applications

According to a recent study , 92% of companies today are either already modernizing their legacy apps or are actively planning to do so. Yet the sad fact is that 79% of app modernization projects fail to meet their goals. Application modernization is an inherently complex and difficult process. Organizations that approach it haphazardly or with major misconceptions about what they need to accomplish are almost sure to fail.

One common pitfall that companies often stumble over is believing that they can modernize legacy apps simply by transferring them, basically unchanged, to the cloud. This approach, often called “ lift and shift ” is popular because it’s the quickest and easiest way of getting an app into the cloud.

But just transferring an application to the cloud as-is does nothing to address the fundamental deficiencies that soon become apparent when a three-layer, monolithic application is pitchforked into the cloud environment. All of that architecture’s limitations remain just as they were.

That’s why it’s critical for organizations that want true modernization to develop well-thought-out, data-informed plans for refactoring their legacy apps to microservices .

Why You Should Begin With the Business Logic Layer

Many organizations begin their modernization efforts with what seems to be the simplest and easiest part, the presentation or UI layer. That layer is certainly of critical importance because it defines how people interact with the application and thereby has a major impact on user satisfaction.

But while modernization of the presentation layer may make the UI more appealing, it doesn’t change the functional character of the app. All its inherent limitations remain and no substantial modernization is achieved.

Sometimes modernization teams decide to tackle the data layer first because they believe that ensuring the accessibility and integrity of their data in the cloud environment is the most critical aspect of the transition. But here again, focusing first on the data layer does nothing to transcend the fundamental limitations the app brings with it into the cloud.

Those limitations will only be overcome when the heart of the application, the middle or business logic layer, is modernized. This layer, which implements the core functionality of the app, usually contains the most opaque logic and complex code. The in-depth analysis of the operations of this layer that is a prerequisite for dividing it into microservices will provide a deeper understanding of the entire app that can be applied in modernizing all its layers.

Getting Started with the Right Partner

Application modernization can be a complex and difficult undertaking. But having the right partner to provide guidance and the right tools to work with can minimize the challenges and make reaching your modernization goals far more achievable.

vFunction can provide both the partnership and the tools to help you approach app modernization with competence and confidence. Our AI-based modernization platform can substantially simplify the task of analyzing the logic layers of your apps and converting them to microservices. And our experience and expertise can guide you safely past missteps that have caused so many modernization attempts to end in failure.

To learn how vFunction can help you achieve your Java app modernization goals, contact us today.

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Applying 3-Tier Architecture to Organize Apps’ Code

Pavel Kukhnavets  / Aug 11, 2020

Sometimes applications have messy codebase. It happens. You’ll need time to determine where particular features are located and it can be a challenge for unit tests, debugging, or adding new functionality.

However, 3-tier architecture (that is sometimes called three-layer architecture) is a real solution. In case you are striving to deliver an outstanding software product and your customers, then the 3-tier architecture is a beneficial choice that you really need. It provides programmers with an opportunity to modularize and configure their applications in the most proper way.

In this post, we will briefly describe the essence, benefits, and possible drawbacks of the 3-layer architecture.

What is 3-Tier Architecture?

Three-tier is a client-server architecture where you develop and maintain the UI, functional process logic, computer data storage, and data access – all as independent modules. Most often they are developed on separate platforms.

This model is a software architecture pattern. It provides typical advantages of modular software with well-defined interfaces. Besides, the 3-tier architecture is intended to allow any of tiers to be upgraded or replaced independently in response to changes.

This kind of architecture has three tiers:

1. Presentation tier

This is the topmost application level that displays information related to browsing merchandise, purchasing and shopping cart contents. The presentation tier communicates with other tiers by outputting results to the browser or client tier and all other tiers in the network.

2. Logical tier

Logical (application) tier presents business logic, logic tier, data access tier, or middle tier. The tier is pulled out from the presentation tier and, as its own layer, it controls an app’s functionality by performing detailed processing.

3. Data tier

Data tier includes database servers. The information is stored and retrieved here. It keeps data independent from app servers or business logic. It influences scalability and performance.

What are the rules the 3-Tier architecture requires?

• The main rule sounds like “the presentation layer is only a shell. I cannot contain any processing of BizLogic”.
• The design should form the app layer rather than presentation one. The API of the application layer should implement all BizLogic on the API in an object-oriented manner.
• Take care of the data layer that should be independent of the abstract system layer.
• You may apply an enterprise service or a remote object technology, you may also deploy it on a server or not, but you must consider clustering multiple servers through load balancing in your design.

Pros of Using a 3-Tier Architecture

• The 3-tier architecture decreases dependencies between layers.
• As long as use the same entity classes of the object model and follow the interface standards, it lets developers work on every layer, that may essentially improve the development speed of the system.
• The layers can be modernized or redeveloped with no affecting other layers in a 3-tier architecture. That is why the time to market shortens and the cost to integrate new features into SaaS and on-premises apps reduce.
• 3-tier architecture provides ease of maintenance. It significantly reduces maintenance time and costs.
• Every part can be developed concurrently by different programmers that code in different programming languages from the other tier developers.

Are There Any Cons?

• The 3-tier architecture negatively affects system performance. Businesses could go directly to the database to get the data without a hierarchical structure. However, now they have to go through the middle tier.
• Sometimes it results in cascading changes. Especially in the top-down direction. In case you need to add a feature into the presentation tier, you may need to add code in both the business logic layer and the data access layer to ensure that the design is layered.

Two-tier vs three-tier architectures: what is the difference?

The added modularity is what initially differ a 3-tier application over a 2-tier application. It actually allows the replacement of any layer without affecting other ones and separating business functions from database-related functions. The 3-layer system is also about advanced flexibility, reusability, scalability, manageability, and maintainability.

Is 3-tier architecture the same as MVC?

Some people consider the MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern identically to the 3-tier architecture.

• It is true but only to some extent. Here are the vivid differences between both models:
• The View and Controller fit into the Presentation layer. There is no separate component for data access in the MVC. However, the Model and Business tiers seem identical.

The 3-tier architecture is much more than academic exercising with essential costs and some limited benefits. In comparison with the MVC design pattern, it has a more streamlined separation of responsibilities.

The three-tier architecture allows involving different teams with multiple skills to develop each layer. It can provide multiple data access objects at the same time. It also gives a chance to build front-end sites consisting of nothing more than an additional presentation layer.

What do you think about the use of the 3-tier architecture? Please, share your experience and thoughts.

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1. What is a 3-Tier Architecture?

2.1 presentation tier, 2.2 application tier, 2.3 data tier, 3. rules in the 3-tier architecture, 4. what are the advantages and disadvantages of using a 3-tier architecture, 5. 3-tier architecture example , 6. a conclusion of the 3-tier architecture.

In the world of software development, 3-tier architecture has become the backbone of modern application design. A 3-tier architecture is an architecture pattern used in applications as a specific type of client-server system. It divides the architecture into three tiers: data layer, application layer, and presentation layer . 

The 3-tier architecture refers to the logical 3-tier system rather than the physical one. It adds a “middle tier” between the client and the database. The main functions and business logic of the system are processed in the middle layer, which is the application layer.

2. The Three Tiers in a 3-Tier Architecture

The presentation tier occupies the top level of the application. It sends content to browsers in web development frameworks, such as CSS, HTML , or JavaScript, and displays information in the form of a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows users to access it directly. It communicates with other layers by putting out the results to the browser and other tiers through API calls. 

The application tier is also called the business logic, logic tier, or middle tier. By processing the business logic for the application, it builds a bridge between the presentation layer and the data layer to make communication faster between the presentation and data layer.

The application tier is usually coded in C#, Java, C++, Python, Ruby, etc.

Data-tier is composed of a persistent storage mechanism and the data access layer. It supports connecting with the database and performing insert, update, delete, and get data from the database based on our input data. 

• The core rule: the presentation layer is only a shell and cannot contain any processing of BizLogic.

2. The design should be from the application layer rather than the presentation layer. The API of the application layer should implement all BizLogic on the API in an object-oriented manner.

3. Whether the data layer is a simple SqlHelper or a class with Mapping, make sure it is independent of the abstract system layer.

4. Whether you’re using COM+( EnterpriseService ), Remoting, or a remote object technology like WebService , whether you’re deploying it on a server or not, you have to consider clustering multiple servers through load balancing in your design.

To sum up, when considering whether a project conforms to the application of a three-tier or multi-tier design, it is necessary to find whether it conforms to the requirements of the project.

Advantages:

• It reduces dependencies between layers, following the principles of 3-tier architecture. Therefore, as long as developers adhere to interface standards and utilize the same entity classes of the object model, it allows different developers to work on each layer. This aspect can significantly improve the development speed of the system.
• In a 3-tier architecture, each layer can be redeveloped or modernized independently, without affecting other layers. This capability shortens the time to market and reduces the cost of integrating new features into software as a service (SaaS), Cloud, and on-premise applications.
• It provides ease of maintenance, and won’t affect other modules, which dramatically reduces maintenance costs and maintenance time.
• Instead of directly accessing the data layer, the presentation layer only connects with the business logic layer, which improves data security.

Disadvantages:

• It reduces system performance. Without a hierarchical structure, businesses could go directly to the database to get the data, but now they have to go through the middle tier.
• The 3-tier architecture sometimes results in cascading changes, especially in the top-down direction. If you need to add a feature in the presentation layer in the context of what is 3-tier architecture, you may need to add code in both the business logic layer and the data access layer to ensure that the design adheres to the principles of 3-tier architecture.

Take FineReport as an example to help you better understand the 3-tier architecture. FineReport is reporting software that adopted the 3-tier architecture. 

The data layer of FineReport is responsible for data management , including data collection, ETL, building a data warehouse, etc. It supports multiple data sources and data integration . 

The application layer of FineReport is responsible for the main functions and business logic. In this part, as an enterprise reporting tool , it supports report design , report generation , and report management. 

In the presentation layer, FineReport can adaptively display reports and dashboards on PC, mobile , and TV screens because the charts in FineReport are developed by HTML5 , which can be used cross-platform, adaptive to web design, and support instant updates.

For example, when you want to create a sales report based on the sales data stored in the CRM, the presentation layers send API calls to the data layer, the data layer of the FineReport runs the query and returns the results to the application layer, which formats it into a web page. The page is then sent back to the browser, where the presentation layer displays the reports on a laptop or other device.

With the 3-tier architecture, you only need to install the designer on the report designer’s computer, and then deploy the project to the server. Other users can directly access the report as long as there is a browser on the computer. 

Once the report requirements change, it is very convenient to design locally and then publish to the remote server by switching the working directory or directly edit the report files on the remote server.

In this way, for companies, it only needs to deploy the project once, and then it can be designed directly and remotely, which makes migrating reports conveniently and improves efficiency.

A 3-tier architecture is an architectural pattern used in the client-server system. Hope you could have a clear understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, rules, and examples of 3-tier architecture after reading this article.

3-tier architecture has revolutionized the software development process by providing developers with a flexible, scalable, and maintainable framework for building modern applications. With the help of powerful reporting tools like FineReport , developers can quickly and easily create complex reports, providing users with the insights they need to make informed decisions.

FineReport provides a free personal-use edition with no limitations and supports up to two concurrent users. For enterprise users interested in pricing and product details, please contact us by clicking the button below:

Also, please feel free to make an appointment for a live demo with our product experts. We will be more clear about your needs and see how FineReport can help you and your organization transform data into value.

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Java Guides

Search this blog, three tier (three layer) architecture in spring mvc web application.

Learn Spring MVC at  https://www.javaguides.net/p/spring-mvc-tutorial.html

1. Three Tier (Three Layer) Architecture

2. Three Tier (Three Layer) Architecture VS MVC Pattern

• The Model Layer  - This is the data layer which contains the business logic of the system, and also represents the state of the application. It’s independent of the presentation layer, the controller fetches the data from the Model layer and sends it to the View layer.
• The Controller Layer  - The controller   layer acts as an interface between  View  and  Model . It receives requests from the  View  layer and processes them, including the necessary validations.
• The View Layer  - This layer represents the output of the application, usually some form of UI. The presentation layer is used to display the  Model  data fetched by the  Controller .

3. How to use Three-layer architecture in Spring MVC web applications.

• Controller classes as the presentation layer. Keep this layer as thin as possible and limited to the mechanics of the MVC operations, e.g., receiving and validating the inputs, manipulating the model object, returning the appropriate ModelAndView object, and so on. All the business-related operations should be done in the service classes. Controller classes are usually put in a controller package.
• Service classes as the business logic layer. Calculations, data transformations, data processes, and cross-record validations (business rules) are usually done at this layer. They get called by the controller classes and might call repositories or other services. Service classes are usually put in a service package.
• Repository classes as data access layer. This layer’s responsibility is limited to Create, Retrieve, Update, and Delete (CRUD) operations on a data source, which is usually a relational or non-relational database. Repository classes are usually put in a repository package.
• Presentation Layer - controller package
• Business Logic Layer - service package
• Data Access Layer - repository package 

Read more about MVC pattern at  Model View Controller (MVC) Design Pattern in Java

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Sap R/3 Architecture Tutorial

What is SAP R/3?

SAP R/3 is a 3 tier architecture consisting of 3 layers

• Presentation
• Application

In simple words, it’s a client server architecture.

• R signifies Real-time system
• 3 represents – 3-tier architecture.

User’s PC:- Users can access SAP system in two ways:-

• Through SAP GUI
• Through Web browser

It’s called front-end. Only the front-end is installed in the user’s PC not the application/database servers.

Front-end takes the user’s requests to database server and application servers.

Application Servers: – Application server is built to process business-logic. This workload is distributed among multiple application servers. With multiple application servers, the user can get the output more quickly.

Application server exists at a remote a location as compared to the location of the user PC.

Database Server: – Database server stores and retrieves data as per SQL queries generated by ABAP and Java applications.

Database and Application may exist on the same or different physical location.

Understanding different SAP layers

Presentation Layer

The Presentation Layer contains the software components that make up the SAPgui (graphical user interface). This layer is the interface between the R/3 System and its users. The R/3 System uses the SAPgui to provide an intuitive graphical user interface for entering and displaying data.

The presentation layer sends the user’s input to the application server, and receives data for display from it. While a SAPgui component is running, it remains linked to a user’s terminal session in the R/3 System.

Application Layer

The Application Layer consists of one or more application servers and a message server. Each application server contains a set of services used to run the R/3 System. Theoretically, you only need one application server to run an R/3 System. In practice, the services are distributed across more than one application server. The message server is responsible for communication between the application servers. It passes requests from one application server to another within the system. It also contains information about application server groups and the current load balancing within them. It uses this information to assign an appropriate server when a user logs onto the system.

Database Layer:

The Database Layer consists of a central database system containing all of the data in the R/3 System. The database system has two components – the database management system (DBMS), and the database itself. SAP has manufactured its own database named Hana but is compatible with all major databases such as Oracle. All R/3 data is stored in the database. For example, the database contains the control and customizing data that determine how your R/3 System runs. It also contains the program code for your applications. Applications consist of program code, screen definitions, menus, function modules, and various other components. These are stored in a special section of the database called the R/3 Repository, and are accordingly called repository objects. R/3 repository, objects are used in ABAP workbench.

Understanding the components of SAP R/3 3-tier Architecture

• Message Server: It handles communication between distributed Dispatchers in ABAP system .
• Dispatcher Queue: Various work process types are stored in this queue.
• Dispatcher: It distributes requests to the work processes.
• Gateway: It enables communication between SAP system and between SAP system and external systems .

• Memory-pipes: It enables communication between ICM and ABAP work processes.
• Message Server: It handles java dispatchers and server processes. It enables communication within java runtime environment.
• Enqueue Server: It handles logical locks that are set by the executed Java application program in a server process.
• Central Services: Java cluster requires a special instance of the central services for managing locks and transmitting messages and data. Java cluster is a set of processes that work together to build the reliable system. Instance is group of resources such as memory, work processes and so on.
• Java Dispatcher: It receives the client requests and forwards to the server process .
• SDM: Software Deployment Manager is used to install J2EE components.
• Java Server Processes: It can processes a large number of requests simultaneously.
• Threading: Multiple Processes executes separately in the background, this concept is called threading.
• ICM: It enables communication between SAP system and HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP protocol. It means by entering system URL in the browser you can access SAP from browser also.

One more component is JCO. JCO is used to handle communication between java dispatcher and ABAP dispatcher when system is configured as ABAP+Java.

How the SAP Logon Process works?

Step 1) Once a user clicks on the SAP system from GUI, the user request is forwarded to Dispatcher.

Step 2) Request is stored in Request queues first. Dispatcher follows First in First out rule. It will find free work process and if available will be assigned.

Step 3) As per user request, particular work process is assigned to user. For example, when user login to the system then Dialog work process is assigned to the user. If user runs a report in background then background work process is assigned to the user. When some modifications are done at database level then update workprocess is assigned. So as per user’s action workprocess is assigned.

Step 4) Once user is assigned the dialog workprocess then user authorizations, user’s current setting are rolled in to work-process in shared memory to access user’s data. Once dialog step is executed then user’s data is rolled out from workprocess. Thus shared memory will be cleaned and other user’s data can be saved in shared memory area. Dialog step means the screen movements. In a transaction, when a users jumps from one screen to other the process is called a dialog step.

Step 5) First work process will find the data in the buffer. If it finds data in buffer then there is no need to retrieve data from database. Thus response time is improved and this process is called hit. If it does not find the data in buffer then it will find the data in database and this process is called miss. Hit ratio should be always higher than miss ratio. It improves the performance of system .

Step 6) Other requested data is queried from the database and once the process is complete, the result is sent back to GUI via dispatcher.

Step 7) At the end user’s data is removed from shared memory so the memory will be available to other users. This process is called roll-out.

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N-tier architecture style

An N-tier architecture divides an application into logical layers and physical tiers .

Layers are a way to separate responsibilities and manage dependencies. Each layer has a specific responsibility. A higher layer can use services in a lower layer, but not the other way around.

Tiers are physically separated, running on separate machines. A tier can call to another tier directly, or use Asynchronous messaging patterns through a message queue. Although each layer might be hosted in its own tier, that's not required. Several layers might be hosted on the same tier. Physically separating the tiers improves scalability and resiliency, but also adds latency from the additional network communication.

A traditional three-tier application has a presentation tier, a middle tier, and a database tier. The middle tier is optional. More complex applications can have more than three tiers. The diagram above shows an application with two middle tiers, encapsulating different areas of functionality.

An N-tier application can have a closed layer architecture or an open layer architecture :

• In a closed layer architecture, a layer can only call the next layer immediately down.
• In an open layer architecture, a layer can call any of the layers below it.

A closed layer architecture limits the dependencies between layers. However, it might create unnecessary network traffic, if one layer simply passes requests along to the next layer.

When to use this architecture

N-tier architectures are typically implemented as infrastructure-as-service (IaaS) applications, with each tier running on a separate set of VMs. However, an N-tier application doesn't need to be pure IaaS. Often, it's advantageous to use managed services for some parts of the architecture, particularly caching, messaging, and data storage.

Consider an N-tier architecture for:

• Simple web applications.
• Migrating an on-premises application to Azure with minimal refactoring.
• Unified development of on-premises and cloud applications.

N-tier architectures are very common in traditional on-premises applications, so it's a natural fit for migrating existing workloads to Azure.

• Portability between cloud and on-premises, and between cloud platforms.
• Less learning curve for most developers.
• Natural evolution from the traditional application model.
• Open to heterogeneous environment (Windows/Linux)
• It's easy to end up with a middle tier that just does CRUD operations on the database, adding extra latency without doing any useful work.
• Monolithic design prevents independent deployment of features.
• Managing an IaaS application is more work than an application that uses only managed services.
• It can be difficult to manage network security in a large system.

Best practices

• Use autoscaling to handle changes in load. See Autoscaling best practices .
• Use asynchronous messaging to decouple tiers.
• Cache semistatic data. See Caching best practices .
• Configure the database tier for high availability, using a solution such as SQL Server Always On availability groups .
• Place a web application firewall (WAF) between the front end and the Internet.
• Place each tier in its own subnet, and use subnets as a security boundary.
• Restrict access to the data tier, by allowing requests only from the middle tier(s).

N-tier architecture on virtual machines

This section describes a recommended N-tier architecture running on VMs.

Each tier consists of two or more VMs, placed in an availability set or virtual machine scale set. Multiple VMs provide resiliency in case one VM fails. Load balancers are used to distribute requests across the VMs in a tier. A tier can be scaled horizontally by adding more VMs to the pool.

Each tier is also placed inside its own subnet, meaning their internal IP addresses fall within the same address range. That makes it easy to apply network security group rules and route tables to individual tiers.

The web and business tiers are stateless. Any VM can handle any request for that tier. The data tier should consist of a replicated database. For Windows, we recommend SQL Server, using Always On availability groups for high availability. For Linux, choose a database that supports replication, such as Apache Cassandra.

Network security groups restrict access to each tier. For example, the database tier only allows access from the business tier.

The layer labeled "Business Tier" in our reference diagram is a moniker to the business logic tier. Likewise, we also call the presentation tier the "Web Tier." In our example, this is a web application, though multi-tier architectures can be used for other topologies as well (like desktop apps). Name your tiers what works best for your team to communicate the intent of that logical and/or physical tier in your application - you could even express that naming in resources you choose to represent that tier (e.g. vmss-appName-business-layer).

Additional considerations

N-tier architectures are not restricted to three tiers. For more complex applications, it is common to have more tiers. In that case, consider using layer-7 routing to route requests to a particular tier.

Tiers are the boundary of scalability, reliability, and security. Consider having separate tiers for services with different requirements in those areas.

Use virtual machine scale sets for autoscaling .

Look for places in the architecture where you can use a managed service without significant refactoring. In particular, look at caching, messaging, storage, and databases.

For higher security, place a network DMZ in front of the application. The DMZ includes network virtual appliances (NVAs) that implement security functionality such as firewalls and packet inspection. For more information, see Network DMZ reference architecture .

For high availability, place two or more NVAs in an availability set, with an external load balancer to distribute Internet requests across the instances. For more information, see Deploy highly available network virtual appliances and this example scenario of High availability and disaster recovery for IaaS apps .

Do not allow direct RDP or SSH access to VMs that are running application code. Instead, operators should log into a jumpbox, also called a bastion host. This is a VM on the network that administrators use to connect to the other VMs. The jumpbox has a network security group that allows RDP or SSH only from approved public IP addresses.

You can extend the Azure virtual network to your on-premises network using a site-to-site virtual private network (VPN) or Azure ExpressRoute. For more information, see Hybrid network reference architecture .

If your organization uses Active Directory to manage identity, you may want to extend your Active Directory environment to the Azure VNet. For more information, see Identity management reference architecture .

If you need higher availability than the Azure SLA for VMs provides, replicate the application across two regions and use Azure Traffic Manager for failover. For more information, see Run Windows VMs in multiple regions or Run Linux VMs in multiple regions .

Related Resources

• N-tier application with Apache Cassandra
• [Windows N-tier application on Azure with SQL Server][n-tier-windows-SQL]
• Microsoft Learn module: Tour the N-tier architecture style
• Azure Bastion
• More information on messaging in an N-tier architecture style on Azure

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Software Architecture: One-Tier, Two-Tier, Three Tier, N Tier

In this Software Architecture tutorial, we will learn the following

Software Architecture

Software Architecture consists of One Tier, Two Tier, Three Tier, and N-Tier architectures.

A “tier” can also be referred to as a “layer”.

Three layers are involved in the application namely Presentation Layer, Business Layer, and Data Layer. Let’s see each layer in detail:

#1. Presentation Layer

It is also known as the Client layer. The top most layer of an application. This is the layer we see when we use the software. By using this layer we can access the web pages. The main function of this layer is to communicate with the Application layer. This layer passes the information which is given by the user in terms of keyboard actions, mouse clicks to the Application Layer. For example, the login page of Gmail where an end-user could see text boxes and buttons to enter user id, password, and to click on sign-in.

In simple words, it is to view the application.

Check the below video to see “Software Architecture”

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#2. Application Layer

It is also known as Business Logic Layer which is also known as the logical layer. As per the Gmail login page example, once the user clicks on the login button, the Application layer interacts with the Database layer and sends required information to the Presentation layer. It controls an application’s functionality by performing detailed processing. This layer acts as a mediator between the Presentation and the Database layer. Complete business logic will be written in this layer.

In simple words, it is to perform operations on the application.

#3. Data Layer

The data is stored in this layer. The application layer communicates with the Database layer to retrieve the data. It contains methods that connect the database and performs required action e.g.: insert, update, delete, etc.

In simple words, it is to share and retrieve the data.

Must Read: Manual Testing Complete Tutorial

Types of Software Architecture:

#1. one tier architecture:.

One Tier application AKA Standalone application

One-tier architecture has all the layers such as Presentation, Business, Data Access layers in a single software package. Applications that handle all the three tiers such as MP3 player, MS Office come under the one-tier application. The data is stored in the local system or a shared drive.

Must Read: Most Popular Software Testing Interview Questions

#2. Two-Tier Architecture:

Two Tier application AKA Client-Server application

The Two-tier architecture is divided into two parts:

1. Client Application (Client Tier) 2. Database (Data Tier)

The client system handles both Presentation and Application layers and the Server system handles the Database layer. It is also known as a client-server application. The communication takes place between the Client and the Server. The client system sends the request to the server system and the Server system processes the request and sends back the data to the Client System

Must Read: SQL for Software Testers Complete Tutorial

#3. Three-Tier Architecture:

Three Tier application AKA Web Based application

The Three-tier architecture is divided into three parts:

1. Presentation layer (Client Tier) 2. Application layer (Business Tier) 2. Database layer (Data Tier)

The client system handles the Presentation layer, the Application server handles the Application layer, and the Server system handles the Database layer.

Note: Another layer is the N-Tier application. N-Tier application AKA Distributed application. It is similar to the three-tier architecture but the number of application servers is increased and represented in individual tiers in order to distribute the business logic so that the logic will be distributed.

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Rajkumar SM is a founder of SoftwareTestingMaterial. He is a certified Software Test Engineer by profession and a blogger & a YouTuber by a choice. He has extensive experience in the field of Software Testing. Furthermore, he loves to be with his wife and a cute little kid 'Freedom'.

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13 comments.

Thanks Amol. Im glad you liked it.

Thank you So much for the information, it is better to add more information about real-life examples for each database architecture.

Thanks for the effort

Thank you for defining it in a way which is easy to understand.

Thanks for your kind words Sushma

Thanks for such an elaborative material. It is good to add knowledge.

Welcome. Keep visiting Galgalo.

Thanks for your effort to explain this. you’ve saved me a lot. Am grateful. blessings.

Thanks for your kind words Emilly Bigz.

Good information about the one tier two tier and three tier application

Thank you for sharing…^_^

Can You describe how the evolution of client-server architecture affects software development processes?

THE INFORMATION IS VERY HELPFUL IN MY IGNOU ASSIGNMENTS.

THANKS A LOT

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SAP R/3 Architecture

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• Introduction to SAP R/3 Architecture

SAP R/3 (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing) is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system developed by the German company SAP SE. It plays a vital role in managing business processes and resources efficiently. The architecture of SAP R/3 is designed to provide a structured framework for organizations to manage their data, applications, and user interfaces. In this article, we will explore the definition and various components of SAP R/3 architecture.

Table of Content

Definition of SAP R/3 Architecture

Sap r3 meaning, layers of sap r/3 architecture, why r/3 architecture, componenets of sap r/3 architecture:, sap r/3 architecture work processes, what is the presentation layer in sap r/3 architecture, what is the application layer in sap r/3 architecture, what is the database layer in sap r/3 architecture.

SAP R/3 architecture is a multi-tiered structure that comprises three main layers: the Presentation Layer, the Application Layer, and the Database Layer. This architectural model enables organizations to integrate and streamline their business processes and data management effectively. with SAP R/3, we are moving our resources from mainframe computing to the three-tier architecture of the presentation, Application, and database layer.

SAP R/3 Architecture diagram

SAP R3, often referred to as SAP R/3, SAP stands for Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing , and R stands for Real-Time Data Processing . The “3” in R/3 represents the three-tier architecture , consisting of the Presentation Layer, Application Layer, and Database Layer, which collectively form the foundation of SAP R/3 systems.

• The Presentation Layer: The Presentation Layer is the topmost tier in the SAP R/3 architecture and is responsible for providing user interfaces for interacting with the system. It serves as the gateway for users to access and interact with SAP applications.Users interact with the system through graphical user interfaces (GUI) or web interfaces. These interfaces make it easy for users to input data, view reports, and navigate the system. The Presentation Layer ensures a user-friendly experience, offering features like drag-and-drop functionality and real-time data display.
• The Application Layer: The Application Layer is the middle tier of the SAP R/3 architecture. It houses the business logic and application programs that execute various business processes. This layer is responsible for processing user requests, performing data validation, and executing application logic. It ensures that business processes run smoothly and efficiently.Application servers handle the communication between the Presentation Layer and the Database Layer. This separation of layers improves system performance and scalability.
• The Database Layer: The Database Layer is the lowest tier in the SAP R/3 architecture and is responsible for storing and managing data. It stores all the business data, configuration settings, and user information.Databases like SAP HANA, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server are commonly used in the Database Layer. They are designed to handle large volumes of data efficiently and ensure data integrity.The Application Layer interacts with the Database Layer to retrieve, update, and manage data as needed to support business operations.

SAP R/3 architecture offers several advantages, some of them are mentioned below:

• Scalability: The multi-tiered architecture allows organizations to scale individual layers independently, providing flexibility and accommodating growing business needs.
• Performance: T he separation of layers optimizes system performance, as the workload is distributed among Presentation, Application, and Database Layers.
• Reliability : The architecture’s modularity ensures that a failure in one layer does not necessarily affect the others, improving system reliability.
• Security: Security measures can be implemented at each layer, enhancing data protection and system access control.
• Customization : Organizations can tailor the SAP R/3 system to their specific business requirements, thanks to the flexibility of the architecture.
• Message server: It is responsible for managing the conversation between different dispatchers in SAP System.
• Gateway: It is responsible for communication between SAP systems and different external systems.
• Dispatcher : It distributes the request to the different work processes.
• Dispatcher Queue : Various work process types are stored in this queue.

Within the Application Layer, SAP R/3 architecture employs the concept of work processes. Work processes are responsible for executing tasks such as dialog processing, background processing, and update processing. This modular approach allows for efficient multitasking and improved system performance.

The Presentation Layer, often referred to as the front-end layer, is a crucial component of SAP R/3 architecture. It serves as the interface through which users interact with the SAP system. Here, we will explore the Presentation Layer in more detail.

The Purpose of the Presentation Layer in SAP R/3:

• User Interaction : The primary purpose of the Presentation Layer is to provide a user-friendly interface for interacting with SAP applications. This layer acts as the bridge between the user and the underlying SAP system, offering graphical user interfaces (GUI) or web-based interfaces.
• Data Input and Display: Users use the Presentation Layer to input data, view reports, and perform various tasks within the SAP system. It offers a familiar environment for users to enter data, navigate the system, and retrieve information.
• Real-time Feedback: The Presentation Layer is responsible for displaying real-time data to users. Whether it’s monitoring production processes, sales figures, or inventory levels, users can access up-to-date information through this layer.
• Customization: Users can often customize their interface to suit their specific needs and preferences. This personalization can include layout changes, favorite transactions, and user-specific settings.

The Application Layer is a central and critical component of SAP R/3 architecture. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless execution of business processes and the overall functionality of the ERP system. Below, we will delve into the purposes and functions of the Application Layer in SAP R/3 architecture.

Purposes of the Application Layer:

• Business Logic Execution: The primary purpose of the Application Layer is to execute the business logic that drives the organization’s operations. This layer houses the application programs responsible for various business processes, from order processing to financial accounting.
• Data Processing and Validation: It manages data processing by validating and processing user requests and transactions. This includes checking data for accuracy, consistency, and integrity to ensure the reliability of business operations.
• User Interaction Handling : The Application Layer is responsible for handling user interactions, such as transaction execution and data retrieval. It processes user requests and ensures that the appropriate data is fetched from the Database Layer for presentation to the user.
• Scalability and Performance Optimization: The Application Layer contributes to system scalability and performance optimization. By distributing the workload across multiple application servers, it ensures that the system can handle a large number of concurrent users and complex business processes efficiently.

The data are stored in the database layer. Every relational database is supported by SAP . No database is provided by SAP. But it works with all RDBMS. One system or computer must have the database layer installed. Oracle and DB2 are the two main databases utilized in SAP deployments.The Database Layer is the lowest tier in the SAP R/3 architecture and is responsible for storing and managing data. It stores all the business data, configuration settings, and user information.Databases like SAP HANA, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server are commonly used in the Database Layer. They are designed to handle large volumes of data efficiently and ensure data integrity.The Application Layer interacts with the Database Layer to retrieve, update, and manage data as needed to support business operations.

In conclusion, the Application Layer of SAP R/3 architecture is the heart of the system, where business logic is executed, data is processed, and user interactions are managed. Its purposes and functions are essential for efficient business operations, data management, and system performance. By separating these functions into a dedicated layer, SAP R/3 architecture provides flexibility, scalability, and reliability to organizations seeking to streamline their business processes.

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Introduction to docker.

Docker is a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers. Containers allow developers to package an application with all of its dependencies into a standardized unit, ensuring that it will run consistently on any environment. Docker provides tools for building, deploying, and managing containers, making it easier to develop and deploy applications in various environments.

What is Three-Tier Architecture?

Three-tier architecture is a software architecture pattern where an application is divided into three logical tiers or layers: the presentation tier, the application logic tier, and the data storage tier. Each tier has a specific role and responsibility:

Presentation Tier (Frontend): This tier is responsible for presenting information to the user and handling user interactions. It typically consists of user interfaces such as web browsers, mobile apps, or desktop applications.

Application Logic Tier (Backend): This tier contains the business logic of the application and is responsible for processing user requests, performing computations, and interacting with the data storage tier. It can include application servers, APIs, and microservices.

Data Storage Tier (Database): This tier stores and manages the data used by the application. It can be a relational database, NoSQL database, file system, or any other data storage solution.

Using Docker in Three-Tier Architecture

Docker is particularly useful in implementing and deploying applications based on the three-tier architecture:

1. Database Tier

In the database tier, Docker can be used to containerize the database management system (DBMS) such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB. Docker containers provide a lightweight and portable way to run databases, ensuring consistency across different environments.

2. Backend Tier

For the backend tier, Docker containers can encapsulate the application logic, including the web servers, APIs, and microservices. Developers can package their backend code and dependencies into Docker images, making it easy to deploy and scale the application components independently.

3. Frontend Tier

In the frontend tier, Docker can be used to package and deploy the presentation layer components such as static web assets, JavaScript frameworks like React or Angular, and web servers like Nginx or Apache. Docker containers enable developers to build and deploy frontend applications with ease, ensuring consistency and reliability.

Docker simplifies the development, deployment, and management of applications based on the three-tier architecture. By using Docker containers for each tier, developers can achieve consistency, portability, and scalability in their applications, leading to faster development cycles and more efficient deployment processes.

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