What is software architecture?

Software architecture describes a computing system or program's structure, as well as the decisions that are made about how software systems are organized and how structural elements are selected. It integrates elements like object-oriented analysis and design, web service, and representational state transfer (REST), to create software applications and systems that are flexible and reusable. There are five patterns in software architecture, including layered, event-driven, microkernel, microservices, and space-based.

What benefits will I gain if I learn software architecture?

Learning software architecture is essential for building systems that will last. You'll discover techniques for building software that's flexible and scalable all while making informed design decisions that allow you to execute safer, faster, better software and for less money. You'll receive training in programming, systems design and development operations, all of which allow you to progress in your career or enter a new industry. You'll get skills in software development and gain the ability to execute solutions and lead a team of software engineers.

What are typical careers that use software architecture?

Typically, software architects study software architecture. There's a fair amount of variance in the titles you'll see. Other job titles you might encounter include application architects, enterprise architects, solutions architects, and technical architects. For some, it's the next step in their careers after becoming a senior developer. For anyone who wants to enter the field directly, there are entry-level positions to get you started. Software architects commonly work in an office environment, although you may have remote work opportunities available to you as well. If this is a career you're interested in, expect to spend the majority of your work time sitting in front of a computer.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in software architecture?

People ideally suited for working in software architecture have a mixture of solid technical skills and leadership qualities because working in software architecture requires taking the technical lead on projects. While project managers deal with resources and scheduling, the software architect makes technical decisions, organizes the team, and contributes to planning activities around the architecture. Other traits that are useful to have include design skills, programming skills, and a background in or a good understanding of the software development process. Having knowledge of the business domain is also helpful since it provides insight into the requirements that will have to be considered to create solutions that best solve the problem.

What are the benefits of taking an online Software Architecture course?

Online Software Architecture courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Software Architecture skills. Choose from a wide range of Software Architecture courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Software Architecture courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Software Architecture, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Software Architecture Courses - Learn Software Architecture Online

Explore the Software Architecture Course Catalog

IBM
Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Linux Commands, Unit Testing, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Development Environment, Version Control, File Management, Jupyter, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Application Deployment, Automation, Flask (Web Framework), Web Scraping, Python Programming, Open Source Technology, Application Development
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
47K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: AI skills
Amazon
Amazon Junior Software Developer
Skills you'll gain: Git (Version Control System), Software Development Methodologies, JUnit, Requirements Analysis, Application Development, Software Development Life Cycle, SQL, Full-Stack Web Development, Test Driven Development (TDD), Version Control, Restful API, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Database Management, Digital Transformation, Relational Databases, Java Programming, Generative AI, Java, Front-End Web Development
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
220 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments
Skills you'll gain: Software Configuration Management, Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Git (Version Control System), Version Control, System Programming, Build Tools, Software Development Tools, C (Programming Language), Development Environment, Code Review, Computer Architecture, Debugging, Command-Line Interface
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
628 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Interactive Data Visualization, Interviewing Skills, Data Cleansing, Data Validation, Ggplot2, Tableau Software, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Stakeholder Communications, Dashboard, Sampling (Statistics), Analytics, R Programming
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
166K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Minnesota
Software Testing and Automation
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Software Testing, Selenium (Software), Gherkin (Scripting Language), JUnit, Verification And Validation, Test Automation, Unit Testing, Security Testing, Regression Testing, Test Case, Software Development Tools, Testability, Behavior-Driven Development, Code Coverage, Performance Testing, Development Testing, Software Engineering Tools, Test Planning, Acceptance Testing
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
938 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Software Engineering: Modeling Software Systems using UML
Skills you'll gain: Requirements Analysis, Unified Modeling Language, Object Oriented Design, Functional Requirement, Data Modeling, Systems Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Systems Development Life Cycle, System Requirements, Software Development, Software Engineering, Software Systems
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
301 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
IBM AI Engineering
Skills you'll gain: PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Generative AI, Keras (Neural Network Library), Jupyter, Unsupervised Learning, Natural Language Processing, Reinforcement Learning, Deep Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Machine Learning Algorithms, Data Manipulation, Tensorflow, Python Programming, Verification And Validation, Applied Machine Learning, ChatGPT, Artificial Neural Networks, Statistical Machine Learning
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
20K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Michigan
Python for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Processing, Relational Databases, JSON, Database Design, SQL, Network Protocols, Databases, Web Services, Restful API, Programming Principles, Data Cleansing, Data Structures, Data Storytelling, Data Collection, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Data Manipulation, Development Environment, Computational Thinking
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
277K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
EIT Digital
Software Architecture for the Internet of Things
Skills you'll gain: Software Architecture, Functional Requirement, Requirements Analysis, Internet Of Things, Software Design Patterns, Systems Architecture, Android Development, Software Design, Application Frameworks, Maintainability, Interoperability, Software Quality (SQA/SQC), Usability
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
250 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Fundamentals of Software Architecture for Big Data
Skills you'll gain: Service Level, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Data Architecture, Distributed Computing, Transaction Processing, Software Design, Database Systems, Blockchain, Maintainability, Data Structures, Test Driven Development (TDD), Continuous Integration, System Monitoring
Build toward a degree
3.5
Rating, 3.5 out of 5 stars
82 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Software Architecture Patterns for Big Data
Skills you'll gain: Performance Testing, Scalability, Data Architecture, Software Architecture, Distributed Computing, Predictive Modeling, Database Architecture and Administration, Application Performance Management, Database Systems, System Design and Implementation, Test Automation
Build toward a degree
3.6
Rating, 3.6 out of 5 stars
28 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Princeton University
Computer Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Microarchitecture, Computer Architecture, Hardware Architecture, Computer Systems, Computer Engineering, Computer Hardware, Operating Systems, Performance Tuning, Scalability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Advanced · Course · 3 - 6 Months