Multi-Tier Application

Definition - What does Multi-Tier Application mean?

A multi-tier application is any application developed and distributed among more than one layer. It logically separates the different application-specific, operational layers. The number of layers varies by business and application requirements, but three-tier is the most commonly used architecture. Any application that depends on or uses a middleware application is known as a multi-tier application. A multi-tier application is also known as a multitiered application or n-tier application.

Techopedia explains Multi-Tier Application

A multi-tier application is used to divide an enterprise application into two or more components that may be separately developed and executed. In general, the tiers in a multi-tier application include the following: Presentation tier: Provides basic user interface and application access services Application processing tier: Possesses the core business or application logic Data access tier: Provides the mechanism used to access and process data Data tier: Holds and manages data that is at rest This division allows each component/tier to be separately developed, tested, executed and reused.