"Event-driven architecture" refers to a design paradigm in software development where the flow of the program is determined by events. In this model, applications respond to various events—such as user actions, sensor outputs, or other triggers—by executing predefined functions or processes. This architecture promotes greater flexibility, scalability, and responsiveness, as components can operate independently and communicate asynchronously. Event-driven architecture is particularly useful in developing microservices and handling real-time data processing, allowing systems to adapt to changing conditions and user behaviors efficiently.