This post provides a concise overview of the three-tier application in C#. This architectural approach segments the project into three distinct layers: the user interfaces layer, the business layer, and the data (database) layer. It effectively segregates the user interface, business logic, and data into separate layers.
If a user decides to switch her UI from Windows to Phone, she has the option to modify the UI layer independently, without impacting the other layers. Otherwise, all components remain unchanged.
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Why do we use 3 tier application on any project?
We implement a three-tier architecture to manage extensive projects. For example, imagine you created 2000 entity codes and programmed them all within a single tier. If you need to switch between desktop software and mobile or web applications, you would have to rework the code for all 2000 entities.
You will need to update the database connection for all 2000 entities when switching to a different database provider. This can lead to increased costs. Therefore, excessive code writing can be a waste of both time and resources. Moreover, the complexity of writing extensive code across multiple layers can make it challenging for new developers to understand.
Therefore, it is advisable for a project to implement a three-tier architecture in order to ensure ease of maintenance, flexibility, seamless updates, and the development of clean, easily comprehensible code, all while minimizing impact on other components.
So, we use 3-tier architecture because of these points -
- Accelerated development: Different teams can improve each layer simultaneously, optimizing product time-to-market and allowing developers to use the latest tools and the best languages for each layer.
- Improved scalability: Each tier can always be scaled independently by deploying applications in different tiers.
- Improved Reliability: With different tiers, you can also run other parts of your application on different servers and use cached results to enhance reliability and availability.
- Enhanced Security: Leverages a well-designed application layer as an internal firewall that helps prevent SQL injection and other malicious exploits.
What is the difference between layer and tier?
Layer and tier are frequently swapped, albeit incorrectly. The primary distinction between layers and tiers lies in their organizational structure. Conversely, a tiered architecture partitions an application into numerous physical entities across distinct infrastructures.
Another distinction emerges from the duty of the most basic element in each design.
The data access layer does not supply data, therefore, in many cases, the data is stored within the application layer (with some designs splitting it into a separate layer).
In this perspective, a single tier can encompass various tiers. For instance, a mobile phone camera app is categorized as n-tier. It is alternatively known as a single-tier app since all operations are executed on the device itself.
The Presentation Layer involves the user engaging with the application to take photographs.
Applications utilize device storage to retain processed data.
What are the three parts of the three-tier architecture?
The three-level structure consists of three tiers, namely -
1. Presentation Tier:
That represents the highest level of architecture. The uppermost software layer is the user interface (UI). It pertains to the UI. This interface is presented to the end user. Its main function is to convert tasks and outcomes into a format that is comprehensible to the user.
This covers pages containing web forms, Windows forms, and similar interfaces where data is presented to users for input. The user interface is crucial as it is what users interact with, and a well-crafted interface attracts users, making good design essential.
2. Business Tier:
This tier serves as the intermediary level within the system architecture. Here, you'll find tutorials on C# programming, where various logical computations are carried out. It plays a vital role in connecting the adjacent tiers - presentation and data tiers. Data processing flows through these layers. Additionally, this layer applies sound business logic and performs complex calculations.
This stratum additionally authenticates input criteria prior to invoking functions from the data tier. This guarantees the accuracy of the data input prior to advancement, and frequently results in accurate outputs as well. This process of validating inputs is commonly referred to as a business rule.
3. Data Tier:
This layer establishes a connection between the business tier and databases or data origins. It encompasses methods employed for executing tasks on the database, such as insertion, removal, and modification. The residual part comprises stored techniques utilized for retrieving data from the database. Therefore, this residual component establishes a link with the database and executes functions on it.
Application of 3 tiers using C#:
This tier forms the core of the 3-tier architecture and represents the most intricate and challenging layer to implement. As such, a well-thought-out design is essential for effectively handling and structuring your code. Hence, the utilization of a 3-tier architecture is crucial for this particular tier.
This tier does not engage with end-users directly. It communicates with different tiers or applications. Essentially, the presentation layer (or application layer) does not serve as the user interface.
What are the advantages and drawbacks of 3-tier architecture?
Advantages:
- Modifying Data Provider queries can be effortlessly done, simplifying the implementation of OOP principles in your projects.
- Transitioning to the latest graphical interface is now more convenient and quicker.
Drawbacks:
- Complex and time-consuming to build.
- This is more complicated than a simple client-server architecture.
- Users should be familiar with object-oriented concepts.