The difference between an architecture style and an architecture pattern can be confusing. We define an architecture style as the overarching structure of how the user interface and backend source code are organized (such as within layers of a monolithic deployment or separately deployed services) and how that source code interacts with a datastore. Architecture patterns, on the other hand, are lower-level design structures that help form specific solutions within an architecture style (such as how to achieve high scalability or high performance within a set of operations or between sets of services).

Understanding architecture styles occupies much of the time and effort for new architects because they share importance and abundance. Architects must understand the various styles and the trade-offs encapsulated within each to make effective decisions; each architecture style embodies a well-known set of trade-offs that help an architect make the right choice for a particular business problem.