computer science

Information technology architecture

Information technology architecture is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Information technology architecture rather than just read about it. In short: Information technology (IT) architecture is the process of development of methodical information technology specifications, models and guidelines, using a variety of information technology notations, for example Unified Modeling Language (UML), within a coherent information technology architecture framework, following formal and informal information technology solution, enterprise, and infrastructure architecture pr…

Key takeaways

Information technology architecture belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Information technology architecture to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Information technology architecture from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Information technology (IT) architecture is the process of development of methodical information technology specifications, models and guidelines, using a variety of information technology notations, for example Unified Modeling Language (UML), within a coherent information technology architecture framework, following formal and informal information technology solution, enterprise, and infrastructure architecture processes. These processes have been developed in the past few decades in response to the requirement for a coherent, consistent approach to delivery of information technology capabilities. They have been developed by information technology product vendors and independent consultancies, such as for example the Open Group, based on real experiences in the information technology marketplace and collaboration amongst industry stakeholders. Best practice information technology architecture encourages the use of open technology standards and global technology interoperability. Information technology architecture can also be called a high-level map or plan of the information assets in an organization, including the physical design of the building that holds the hardware. Grady Booch, Ivar Jacobson, and James Rumbaugh are accredited with developing the first Unified Modeling Language (UML), a widely used technology modeling language. IBM was an early developer of formal solution and infrastructure architecture methodologies for information technology.

Further reading Hausman, Kalani; L. Cook, Susan. IT Architecture For Dummies. ISBN 9780470926918.

References

External links The IEEE association for advancement of technology Institute for Enterprise Architecture Developments What is IT Architecture and types of architecture

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Information technology architecture

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Information technology architecture claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Information technology architecture before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Information technology architecture ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Information technology architecture

In research: Information technology architecture appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Information technology architecture in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Information technology architecture is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Enterprise architecture, Software architecture, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Information technology architecture outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Information technology architecture in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Information technology architecture means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Information technology architecture out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Information technology architecture in simple terms?

Why does Information technology architecture matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Information technology architecture?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Information technology architecture.