N Tier (Multi-Tier Architecture)

Multi-tier architecture (often referred to as n-tier architecture) or multilayered architecture is a client–server architecture in which presentation, application processing, and data management functions are physically separated. Using a N-tier architecture, web developers can create modular applications.


Common layers


In a multilayered architecture the most common used layers are:

  • Presentation layer - the visual part of an web application
  • Application layer - the server-side of an web application
  • Database layer - the persistance layer where information is saved and updated


Presentation layer


This layer handles the user interaction. This part of the application is usually built in HTML and Javascript in various technologies and frameworks:

  • React - the popular Javascript framework built by Facebook
  • Vue.js - The Progressive JavaScript Framework
  • jQuery


Application layer


Represents the server side of the application and can be developed in many programming languages:


Database layer


The majority of web apps requires a type of storage to save the relevant data:

  • MySql - the popular open-source database engine
  • SQLite - the lite version of mysql
  • MongoDB


Common Architectures


In web development the most used architectures are:


Single Tier architecture


The web application is served only once by the server, and runs entirely on the client side - read more

Single Tier architecture


Two Tier architecture


Sometimes named Full-Stack architecture - read more

Two Tier architecture