Centralized Architectures
Centralized architectures are software design patterns where a single, central component (such as a server or mainframe) controls and coordinates all operations, data storage, and processing in a system. This approach centralizes decision-making, data management, and resource allocation, often simplifying management and ensuring consistency across the application. It contrasts with distributed architectures, where responsibilities are spread across multiple independent components.
Developers should learn and use centralized architectures when building systems that require strict control, high consistency, and simplified maintenance, such as traditional enterprise applications, monolithic web services, or small-scale projects where complexity is low. They are particularly suitable for scenarios with predictable workloads, centralized data governance needs, or when rapid initial development is prioritized over scalability and fault tolerance.