Difference between System Design and System Architecture

System design and system architecture are related concepts in the field of software and systems engineering, but they refer to different aspects of the overall process of creating a system. Let's delve into each term:

System Architecture:

1. Definition: System architecture refers to the high-level structure of a system, emphasizing the relationships and interactions between its components. It provides a blueprint for the system, outlining how different modules or components will work together to achieve the overall objectives of the system.
2. Focus: The focus of system architecture is on the organization and arrangement of system components, including their connections, interactions, and dependencies. It's concerned with defining the system's overall structure and its key characteristics.
3. Activities: System architecture involves activities such as defining system boundaries, specifying major components, determining communication protocols, and outlining the overall system behavior at a conceptual level.

System Design:

1. Definition: System design is a more detailed and lower-level process that follows system architecture. It involves creating detailed specifications for the system components, modules, and their interactions based on the architectural design.
2. Focus: System design focuses on the implementation details of the system. It includes decisions about algorithms, data structures, database design, user interface design, and other aspects necessary for the actual construction of the system.
3. Activities: System design activities include designing individual modules, specifying input and output formats, defining data structures, and creating detailed plans for the construction of the system. It is concerned with turning the high-level architectural design into a more concrete and executable plan.

In summary, system architecture provides a high-level view of the system, defining its structure and how different components will work together. System design, on the other hand, takes this architectural design and translates it into detailed specifications for implementation, focusing on the nitty-gritty details of each module or component. Both are crucial stages in the development of a system, and they complement each other in creating a successful and well-structured solution.