--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The term architecture is used here to…" description: "\"The term architecture is used here to describe the attributes of a system as seen by the programmer, i.e., the conceptual structure and functional beha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/fred-brooks-11366_architecture_the-term-architecture-is-used-here-to-de_895775.png" --- # The term architecture is used here to describe the… ![“The term architecture is used here to describe the attributes of a system as seen by the programmer, i.e., the conceptual structure and functional behavior, as distinct from the organization of the data flow and controls, the logical design, and the physical implementation. i. Additional details…” quote by Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/fred-brooks-11366_architecture_the-term-architecture-is-used-here-to-de_895775.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/fred-brooks-11366_architecture_the-term-architecture-is-used-here-to-de_895775.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/fred-brooks-11366_architecture_the-term-architecture-is-used-here-to-de_895775.png) > “The term architecture is used here to describe the attributes of a system as seen by the programmer, i.e., the conceptual structure and functional behavior, as distinct from the organization of the data flow and controls, the logical design, and the physical implementation. i. Additional details concerning the architecture” [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It distinguishes a programmer‑visible conceptual design from lower‑level data flow, control, and physical implementation details. **In simple terms:** Programmer sees high‑level design, not hardware details. Key Takeaway Focus on clear architecture for maintainability. Themes software design abstraction system architecture Mood analytical reflective Type technical educational When to use this quote - coding - system planning - debugging - team communication Key Concepts conceptual model functional behavior logical design Questions to Reflect On - How does architecture affect future code changes? - What aspects of design are most often overlooked? A Different Perspective Architecture alone cannot guarantee performance without proper implementation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Data](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flow/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Programmers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programmers/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) ## Related quotes > [I don't see that any buildings should be excluded from the term architecture, as long as they are done properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arne-jacobsen/i-don-t-see-that-any-buildings-should-be-excluded-from-the-term/) [Arne Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arne-jacobsen/) > [Evolution is an inference from thousands of independent sources, the only conceptual structure that can make unified sense of all this disparate information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/evolution-is-an-inference-from-thousands-of-independent-sources-the/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [We tend to blame the physical media for most of our implementation difficulties; for the media are not "ours" in the way the ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/we-tend-to-blame-the-physical-media-for-most-of-our-implementation/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Plan to throw one (implementation) away; you will, anyhow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/plan-to-throw-one-implementation-away-you-will-anyhow/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [All programmers are optimists. Perhaps this modern sorcery especially attracts those who believe in happy endings and fairy godmothers. Perhaps the hundreds of nitty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/all-programmers-are-optimists-perhaps-this-modern-sorcery-especially/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [The programmer's primary weapon in the never-ending battle against slow system is to change the intramodular structure. Our first response should be to reorganize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/the-programmer-s-primary-weapon-in-the-never-ending-battle-against/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [I have never seen an experienced programmer who routinely made detailed flow charts before beginning to write programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/i-have-never-seen-an-experienced-programmer-who-routinely-made/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [“What one programmer can do in one month, two programmers can do in two months.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/what-one-programmer-can-do-in-one-month-two-programmers-can-do-in-two/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [...when fits of creativity run strong, more than one programmer or writer has been known to abandon the desktop for the more spacious floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/when-fits-of-creativity-run-strong-more-than-one-programmer-or-writer/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [The magic of myth and legend has come true in our time. One types the correct incantation on a keyboard, and a display screen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/the-magic-of-myth-and-legend-has-come-true-in-our-time-one-types-the/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Shipping first time code is like going into debt. A little debt speeds development so long as it is paid back promptly with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-cunningham/shipping-first-time-code-is-like-going-into-debt-a-little-debt-speeds/) [Ward Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-cunningham/) > [“Create your environment from your best innate tenacity. Always embrace the abundance of an inspirational mentality. Eliminate distractions, clutter, and work from a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-s-spence-sr/create-your-environment-from-your-best-innate-tenacity-always-embrace/) [Joseph S. Spence Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-s-spence-sr/) > [A focus on people's health and well-being must be the core of family planning research and policy. This may seem self-evident, but the realities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-simmons/a-focus-on-people-s-health-and-well-being-must-be-the-core-of-family/) [Ruth Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-simmons/) > [The Wesnoth devs are good but not exceptionally so, and we're weighed down by a crappy implementation language (C++). Nevertheless our productivity, in terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-s-raymond/the-wesnoth-devs-are-good-but-not-exceptionally-so-and-we-re-weighed/) [Eric S. Raymond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-s-raymond/) > [Nest is one vertical implementation of a set of smart products for the home. But we will support other peoples smart products for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sundar-pichai/nest-is-one-vertical-implementation-of-a-set-of-smart-products-for/) [Sundar Pichai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sundar-pichai/) ## More by Fred Brooks > [Predictability and great design are not friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/predictability-and-great-design-are-not-friends/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [More software projects have gone awry for lack of calendar time than for all other causes combined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/more-software-projects-have-gone-awry-for-lack-of-calendar-time-than/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [The first step toward the management of disease was replacement of demon theories and humours theories by the germ theory. That very step, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/the-first-step-toward-the-management-of-disease-was-replacement-of/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [An ancient adage warns, "Never go to sea with two chronometers; take one or three."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/an-ancient-adage-warns-never-go-to-sea-with-two-chronometers-take-one/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Nine people can't make a baby in a month.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/nine-people-can-t-make-a-baby-in-a-month/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Software work is the most complex that humanity has ever undertaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/software-work-is-the-most-complex-that-humanity-has-ever-undertaken/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [A computer program is a message from a man to a machine. The rigidly marshaled syntax and the scrupulous definitions all exist to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/a-computer-program-is-a-message-from-a-man-to-a-machine-the-rigidly/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [The magic of myth and legend has come true in our time. One types the correct incantation on a keyboard, and a display screen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/the-magic-of-myth-and-legend-has-come-true-in-our-time-one-types-the/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Improving your process won't move you from good to great design. It'll move you from bad to average.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/improving-your-process-won-t-move-you-from-good-to-great-design-it-ll/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Present to inform, not to impress. If you inform, you will impress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/present-to-inform-not-to-impress-if-you-inform-you-will-impress/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [We tend to blame the physical media for most of our implementation difficulties; for the media are not "ours" in the way the ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/we-tend-to-blame-the-physical-media-for-most-of-our-implementation/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Product procedure...must securely protect the crown jewels, but, equally important, it must eschew building high fences around the garbage cans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/product-procedure-must-securely-protect-the-crown-jewels-but-equally/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [The hardest single part of building a software system is deciding precisely what to build.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/the-hardest-single-part-of-building-a-software-system-is-deciding/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Job Control Language is the worst programming language ever designed anywhere by anybody for any purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/job-control-language-is-the-worst-programming-language-ever-designed/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [How does a project get to be a year behind schedule? One day at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/how-does-a-project-get-to-be-a-year-behind-schedule-one-day-at-a-time/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) [Explore all 60 Fred Brooks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) ## More Architecture quotes > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [The Parthenon is really only a farmyard over which someone put a roof; colonades and sculptures were added because there were people in Athens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/the-parthenon-is-really-only-a-farmyard-over-which-someone-put-a-roof/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [I just think structure can make a book feel so much bigger. It's the architecture. You could use flimsy materials if you wanted to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/i-just-think-structure-can-make-a-book-feel-so-much-bigger-it-s-the/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) > [When I am asked what I believe in, I say that I believe in architecture. Architecture is the mother of the arts. I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-meier/when-i-am-asked-what-i-believe-in-i-say-that-i-believe-in/) [Richard Meier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-meier/) > [Some architects have a preconceived notion of what a building should be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-w-fentress/some-architects-have-a-preconceived-notion-of-what-a-building-should/) [Curtis W. Fentress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-w-fentress/) > [The essential functions of the mind consist in understanding and in inventing, in other words, in building up structures by structuring reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/the-essential-functions-of-the-mind-consist-in-understanding-and-in/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [London, from the architecture to the culture to the fashion to the accents, feels like it's a special place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-eazy/london-from-the-architecture-to-the-culture-to-the-fashion-to-the/) [G-Eazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-eazy/) > [A wiki works best where you're trying to answer a question that you can't easily pose, where there's not a natural structure that's known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-cunningham/a-wiki-works-best-where-you-re-trying-to-answer-a-question-that-you/) [Ward Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-cunningham/) > [Architecture is not a profession for the faint-hearted, the weak-willed, or the short-lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-filler/architecture-is-not-a-profession-for-the-faint-hearted-the-weak/) [Martin Filler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-filler/) > [As a result of reading science fiction when I was eight, I grew up with an interest in music, architecture, city planning, transportation, politics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/as-a-result-of-reading-science-fiction-when-i-was-eight-i-grew-up/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Winning a competition in architecture is a ticket to oblivion. It's just an idea. Ninety-nine per cent never get built](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-libeskind/winning-a-competition-in-architecture-is-a-ticket-to-oblivion-it-s/) [Daniel Libeskind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-libeskind/) > [It's not so much about form versus functionality. Rather, it's about doing both and doing them a lot and doing them well-and that's how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-prince-ramus/it-s-not-so-much-about-form-versus-functionality-rather-it-s-about/) [Joshua Prince-Ramus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-prince-ramus/) > [Engineering, medicine, business, architecture and painting are concerned not with the necessary but with the contingent - not with how things are but with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-simon/engineering-medicine-business-architecture-and-painting-are-concerned/) [Herbert Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-simon/) [Browse all 3,013 Architecture quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The term architecture is used here to describe the attributes of a system as seen by the programmer, i.e., the conceptual structure and functional behavior, as distinct from the organization of the data flow and controls, the logical design, and the physical implementation. i. 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