Layered Architecture vs Modular Architecture in .NET

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When designing robust applications in .NET, two prevalent architectural styles often come into play: Layered Architecture and Modular Architecture. Each has its strengths, challenges, and use cases, and understanding their differences is essential for building scalable and maintainable systems.

What is Layered Architecture?

Layered architecture organizes an application into horizontal layers, each with a specific responsibility. Layers are typically stacked in a sequence, where higher layers depend on lower layers to fulfill tasks.

Typical Layers in a .NET Application

1. Presentation Layer:

• Handles user interactions and displays data.
• Example: ASP.NET MVC, Razor Pages, Blazor.

2. Application/Service Layer:

• Coordinates business logic and workflows.
• Example: Application services orchestrating commands and queries.

3. Domain Layer:

• Encapsulates core business rules and entities.
• Example: Domain models, aggregates, and validations.

4. Infrastructure Layer:

• Manages interactions with external…