Clean architecture in C#

I have been contemplating the intricacies of clean architecture, its implementation, and its benefits. Before diving into the implementation, let's examine the traditional pattern: Presentation Layer → Application Layer → DataAccess Layer → Database.

These tightly coupled layers make it challenging to scale them without affecting other layers. Unit testing individual layers becomes difficult. Modifying one layer can potentially impact other layers, resulting in a monolithic nature. While there is more to discuss on this topic, let's pause here.

Will examine the very implementation.

dotnet new classlib -n Domain
dotnet new classlib -n Application
dotnet new classlib -n Infrastructure
dotnet new webapi -n API

By executing the commands mentioned above, you will be able to create three Classlib projects and one Web API project.

API
- Controller
    - TodoController.cs
    ...

Domain
    - Entities
        - Todo.cs
        - ITododRepository.cs

Application
    - Services
        - TodoService.cs
        - ITodoService.cs

Infrastructure
    - Repository
        - TodoRepository.cs

Domain - encompasses the core logic and data structures of the enterprise, providing a solid foundation for the application. It plays a vital role in establishing the fundamental principles and components that support the overall functionality and operations of the system.

Application - implements the business logic and processes, addressing the specific business problem and delivering value to the users.

Infrastructure - includes the necessary components to support the application, such as implementations of external services like repositories and APIs, as well as integrations with services like Stripe and email providers. It ensures seamless functioning and communication between the application and the external world.

Benefits of these implementations include:

• Strict architecture - making it difficult to make mistakes ensures that the system is robust and reliable.

• Encapsulation of business logic - making it easy to use and reducing the chances of errors. Additionally, it is thoroughly tested to ensure its functionality.

• Enforcement of dependencies through encapsulation - allows for a modular and organized design, making it easier to manage and update the system.

• Parallel development - the architecture allows multiple teams to work on different components simultaneously, increasing efficiency and reducing development time.

• Scalability - the system can handle increasing amounts of data and users without compromising performance.

• Easy to understand and maintain - the design makes it simpler for developers to troubleshoot and enhance the system as needed.

• Facilitates testing - the architecture provides a framework for comprehensive and efficient testing to ensure the system's quality and reliability.

Conclusion

Clean architecture offers a structured and modular approach to software system development. It promotes maintainability, testability, and scalability by separating concerns and managing dependencies. Clean architecture's strict architecture and encapsulation of business logic provide a solid foundation for building complex applications.

By adhering to the principles of clean architecture and organizing code into separate layers, we can create systems that are easier to understand, maintain, and extend. The use of separate projects for the domain, application, and infrastructure also enhances modularity and enables parallel development.

In summary, clean architecture is a powerful concept that brings numerous benefits to the development process. Embracing this architectural style allows us to create software that is more flexible, maintainable, and adaptable to change.

Github repositories to check out:

• Clean Architecture Demo

• CleanArchitecture