What Is Number of Tiers (N-tier)?
N-tier design, or "the number of tiers," is a well-known term. This refers to the number of tiers in a given computer architecture. Don't fear, and we'll explain everything in simple terms. Compare it to baking a dessert. There are three distinct layers: the bottom, the center, and the top. All the layers of this cake may be working towards various goals, but they all contribute to one common goal: deliciousness. Similarly, the N-tier design holds true. A computer system comprises multiple layers that process data and carry out specific duties. The system's complexity and the users' requirements determine the optimal layers. Let's dissect this a little further. A basic setup has only two layers: the client and the server. The client tier consists of the customer's components, such as a web browser or mobile app. The server tier includes features such as the web server and the database that receive requests from the client and deliver the requested information. It's common for more advanced systems to have three or more hierarchy levels. You could separate the user interface into the presentation tier, the data processing and calculation into the business logic tier and the data storage layer into the data storage tier. Each level serves a distinct function and coordinates with the others to accomplish its goals. The time has come for us to get into the nitty-gritty of the technical details. Each tier in an N-tier architecture is decoupled from the others and instead interacts with the others via APIs or web services. As a result, each layer can be designed and updated separately, which may result in a more adaptable and manageable system. As an illustration, if you need to implement a new function into the system, you can do so in the correct layer without impacting the others. A replacement or upgrade for a single layer can be done without disrupting the operation of any higher or lower tiers. "n-tier architecture" refers to structuring complex computer systems into logically distinct but cooperative levels. System intricacy and user requirements determine the number of tiers, and all tiers speak to one another via standardized interfaces. Each component, like a tier in a cake, serves an important function and complements the others to make the whole something special.
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