What Is Event-Driven Architecture?

Event-driven architecture is a type of computer and software development architecture that prioritizes events and changes to the system. There commonly are parts in the programming made specifically to find changes and either to directly respond to these changes or to pass them on to other sections. Event-driven architecture does not attempt to predict the user’s movements, so this may be better for a user performing unconventional functions. This normally is used in a computer, but it also can be used to control machinery.

There are many types of system architectures, and each prioritizes certain functions or operations. With event-driven architecture, events and changes are the main priority. For example, when the software goes from resting to being used, this is a change to the system. Other changes can be alterations in power, the use of different tools, the addition of coding and other such events. Whenever something requires more power or resources, or if new data must be detected, this is considered an event.

To facilitate finding and responding to changes, there typically are small units programmed into the software or system that are made for just this purpose. Many of these parts are able to directly respond to an event by changing the power or doing whatever the user needs. Other parts are made for finding the change and transmitting the information to parts capable of responding to it. These parts tend to increase the system’s speed, because they are made to quickly change the system for the user’s needs.

Other types of computer architectures normally attempt to predict the user’s functions based on the main priority of those architectures. While this can be effective, this may slow down the system or poorly use computer resources if the user does not function according to the priorities. With event-driven architecture, there are no predictions made, so an unconventional user may benefit from this.

The majority of computer architectures are meant only to be used on a computer, but event-driven architecture also can be used in machinery, normally as a safety precaution. During machinery usage, there often are many changes from the motor shifting, actuators moving and parts operating. Event-driven architecture normally does not optimize these movements, but it does supervise them. For example, if a part is moving in a way that can be potentially dangerous, then this architecture will stop the movement to keep the operator and bystanders safe.