What is n-tier architecture also known as?

N-tier architecture, commonly referred to as multi-tier architecture, divides application functionality into separate layers or tiers. Each tier handles a specific responsibility, such as presentation, business logic, and data management. This separation allows for better scalability, maintainability, and organization of the system, as each layer can be developed and managed independently.

In a multi-tier architecture, the-client application (user interface) communicates with the server-side application (business logic) and database, often across different machines or nodes. This approach enhances the ability to distribute workloads and incorporate different technologies at various layers, providing flexibility in design and implementation.

While single-tier architecture refers to a more simplistic setup where everything is on one tier, and modular architecture emphasizes the use of reusable components, neither of these concepts encompasses the broader, more complex structure and flexibility of n-tier systems. Basic architecture also does not reflect the layered design principle that n-tier architecture embodies. Therefore, recognizing n-tier architecture as multi-tier architecture effectively highlights its architectural approach and the strategic separation of concerns within application development.