Clean Architecture

Definitions

1. An architectural pattern (by Robert C. Martin) with concentric layers where dependencies point inward: Entities (business rules) → Use Cases (application logic) → Interface Adapters (controllers, presenters) → Frameworks & Drivers (web, database). Inner layers know nothing about outer layers. Similar to Hexagonal Architecture and Onion Architecture.

   In plain English: Organizing code in layers where the core business logic doesn't depend on any framework, database, or UI technology.

   Example: "The use case layer imports from entities but never from the web framework — if we switch from Express to Fastify, only the outer adapter layer changes."

Related Terms

• Webhook vs. Polling
• Event-Driven Architecture
• Implementation
• State Machine
• Trade-off
• Strangler Fig Pattern
• Event Sourcing
• Hexagonal Architecture
• Factory Pattern
• Observer Pattern
• Strategy Pattern
• Builder Pattern
• Adapter Pattern
• Repository Pattern
• Domain-Driven Design
• System Architecture
• Testability