Architecture Diagrams

This section contains visual representations of the ReX system architecture, helping developers understand the system structure, component relationships, and data flow.

Overview

Architecture diagrams provide a visual language for understanding complex systems. These diagrams capture different aspects of the ReX architecture:

1. Layer Diagram: Shows the system’s vertical structure and layer boundaries
2. Data Flow Diagram: Illustrates how data moves through the system
3. Component Diagram: Depicts the relationships between major components

Diagram Types

Layer Diagram

The Layer Diagram represents the hierarchical structure of the system, showing:

• Distinct responsibility layers
• Well-defined boundaries and interfaces
• Dependency direction between layers
• Composition relationships

This diagram is essential for understanding the system’s organization and how changes in one layer affect others.

Data Flow Diagram

The Data Flow Diagram shows the movement of content through the system:

• Content read/write pathways
• Transformation steps
• Event propagation
• Error handling flows

This diagram helps developers trace operations through the system and understand how data is processed at each stage.

Component Diagram

The Component Diagram illustrates the relationship between major system components:

• Component dependencies
• Interface boundaries
• Extension points
• Environment-specific adaptations

This diagram provides a more detailed view of how individual components interact within and across layers.

Notation Conventions

The following notation conventions are used across all diagrams:

• Boxes: Represent components or layers
• Arrows: Indicate dependencies or data flow
• Dashed lines: Represent optional or conditional relationships
• Colors: Distinguish different types of components or layers
• Labels: Provide additional context or explain relationships

Maintaining Diagram Accuracy

These diagrams are maintained alongside the code to ensure they accurately reflect the current architecture:

1. Version Tracking: Diagrams include version indicators matching code releases
2. Review Process: Architecture changes trigger diagram review
3. Consistency Checking: Regular verification against implementation
4. Change Documentation: Significant changes are documented in the diagram’s changelog

Related Documentation

• Architecture Overview: Higher-level description of the system architecture
• Layer Boundaries: Detailed explanation of layer responsibilities
• ADR-007: Compositional Content Architecture: Fundamental architectural approach