Partitions

Partitions in a system model, often called system partitions or system decomposition, involve breaking down a complex system into smaller, more manageable components or subsystems. These partitions help understand, design, and organize a system’s architecture. Partition boundaries are also where most software security risks exist because the boundary naturally has data passing across it to get to the next partition in the architecture. In this chapter, we will explore different architectural styles that utilize the partitions differently.

Here’s how partitions are typically used in a system model:

• Divide and conquer: Partitioning allows you to divide a complex system into smaller, self-contained parts. Each partition or subsystem can be designed, developed, and tested independently, making it easier to manage the system as a whole.
• Separation of concerns: Partitioning enables the separation of different concerns or aspects of the system. For...