Microservice architecture is an architectural model made from different module components to make an application run seamlessly. Each module uses a well-developed Application Programming Interface (API) to serve a specific function and communicate with other modules.
Each module has its technology, serves a specific function, can communicate with the other, and has its own database. These features guarantee maximum efficiency.
Unlike monolithic architecture, a microservice is a single application comprising smaller intertwined services that operate like self-contained teams. Most people are shifting to microservices as they are easier to improve, scale, develop and add new features.
The core design of a microservice application makes it easier for software developers to create more designs and upgrade regularly.
Microservices are gaining more traction and becoming a necessity due to reduced resources and growing demand. More people require sophisticated applications capable of running multiple functions. As such, the market is ready for microservices.
How Microservices Work
Microservices are created by organizing the system to identify and solve tasks. Since all services need to communicate, a lightweight messaging system is implemented.
The different modules enable the application to perform tasks that would typically cause a lag in monolithic systems. There is no set way to build a microservice; each application can be coded and specifically tailored to fulfill a specific need.
The fact that there is no set structure while building a microservice offers software developers an opportunity to exercise creative freedom. This includes the programming language, technology selection, and processing engines.
The best part about using a microservice application is if an issue arises, it can be traced and dealt with at the root.
For example, a clothing factory using a microservice application has an issue generating receipts for orders placed online.
The IT staff at the company can trace the problem to the specific service, fix it, restart the program, do a test run and redeploy it without affecting other services. The ability to make such changes is the convenience offered by microservices.
Characteristics Of Microservices
Below is a list of several standard characteristics of microservice architecture:
Specialized
Each service module has a specific set of capabilities that aims to solve a specific problem.
Autonomous
Each component operates independently of the other. Service independence ensures that there can be more improvement in the code as the system runs.
Autonomy also ensures that the architecture can be operated and deployed at different junctures.
Componentization
Microservices can operate independently or with others.
Two or more services can be connected and made dependable, with the ability to adjust one facet without affecting the other.
Designed For Business
Microservices can be tailored specifically for the business intended to be used. This function is particularly useful and advantageous compared to traditional monolithic systems.
Decentralized
Microservices offer a decentralized approach to governance since its developers create better tools to tackle the challenges.
Unlike monolithic applications that use one database, microservices also employ decentralized data management. Each service has its database to use.
Fast Routing
Microservices use a simple system to increase efficacy. Data flows through the message routing and is processed at a fast pace. This ensures maximum output for the users.
Evolutionary
Microservices can be easily upgraded as the need arises, and this is particularly helpful to the developers.
Application users also benefit from this evolutionary factor by promptly having bugs, lags, or challenges addressed.
Low Rate of Failure
Since the whole system comprises multiple supporting services, it is nearly impossible for the entire application to crash.
It is also easier to monitor every facet of a microservice application and solve any issues than to monolithic structures that are hard to monitor and scrutinize. Having read about microservices, you might wonder if they are appropriate for you.
When Is a Microservice Suitable for Your Needs?
When the business can afford to invest resources to create the microservice application.
If the application size currently being used keeps growing, building more modules is not a feasible option.
- When the business or project is for an extended period of time.
- When the need for all components to communicate with each other is an absolute necessity.
- When the application being developed has a lot of traffic.
Why Use a Microservice Architecture?
There are many benefits of microservice. They include:
Flexible Scaling
Every institution’s goal is to grow and make the most impact. To do so, the infrastructure used has to be able to accommodate more volume without affecting the output.
Using a microservice application ensures that a business or institution is better positioned for unlimited growth.
Since each service can be written in a different language, functionality is improved. Furthermore, the software developers can choose the best stack of tech that suits each specific module and which would best accommodate growing numbers.
The individual components of microservices can be improved separately, and new features can be added when an upgrade is needed. Since these components function independently, there would be no need to shut down the whole system or have any downtime.
The fact that services can work concurrently or are dependent on each other ensures that increased demand is sustained.
Improved Data Security
The advantage of using a microservice structure is it enables you to protect your data better. Since each service operates independently, it is easy to set up security measures that protect each service module. Overall, this adds more layers to your data security.
Monolithic structures operate by having one database for the entire application. Having one database for all components makes it harder to protect, as one data set is easier to access compared to multiple databases that are all protected.
Various regulations are set in place by relevant organizations that are necessary to adhere to. Some of these regulations are put in place to protect the data a business handles especially personal data. It is easier to adopt and comply with these regulations using a microservice structure as they are easier to audit and adjust.
Agility
As institutions and businesses aim to become more agile, they opt to use microservices.
Microservices significantly increase their output by allowing developers to work on independent services and roll them out with each update. Such flexibility ensures easier, faster application development and more upgrades.
The developers can easily make changes, release an upgrade or fix a problem without disrupting services. The ability to make such changes even when the application is already in use sets the business apart positively.
Microservices support Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD/CD), which is a great advantage to any developer and users in general.
For developers working on a strict budget or in a limited time, microservices applications allow you to release the product and refine it over time.
Technological Independence
Software developers can pick the kind of tools they implement when creating a microservice. This ensures that the applications run optimally, with no bloatware or extra tooling that isn’t needed or used.
Unlike monolithic structures, microservices aren’t one size fits all and are specifically tailored to solve specific issues.
The independence also allows for changes to be made as needed without disrupting the system as a whole.
Increased Productivity and Output
The basis by which a microservice operates is that of several autonomous components working on different problems. This breakdown allows for easier maintenance and improvement. Each service can be developed and improved individually, making it possible to conduct upgrades as needed.
As a business uses this application, it becomes easier to spot the weak points, make adjustments and roll out the improved version of service without halting day-to-day activities. With the reduced codebase for every modular element of the application, scaling, improving, and testing different services becomes easier.
It is also possible to work on amending or improving different modules concurrently. Unlike a monolithic architectural structure, specificity makes it easier to customize the needs of each module to improve the business overall. Each department in the business functions smoothly and at the best capacity, leading to increased efficiency, more profit, and overall satisfaction among the staff and stakeholders.
Easy-To-Understand Code
For most developers, understanding the code is the most frustrating part of redeployment or scaling an application.
It becomes even harder to read code for a monolithic structure. Microservices, on the other hand, are much easier to handle. The different component of microservices ensures that each module has one task, making it easier to understand the code for that specific module.
The ease of understanding the code determines if they can improve or make changes to it. Therefore, understanding the specific functions of each module makes recording it relatively easier, which is beneficial when developers wish to make changes and adjustments, scale up or down and redeploy specific modules.
Smaller code bases guarantee faster deployment, keeping your app updated and operating efficiently to benefit your users. This is because there are fewer dependencies to take care of within the services.
Independent deployment of individual services also makes continuous deployment possible, ensuring that the software stays updated for users at all times.
Resilient Applications
With a microservices architecture, when one service fails, there is little possibility that others will be affected, given that they function independently. This ensures that the application is less likely to fail compared to those that use monolithic structures.
However, in the case of a microservice application with many dependencies, the developers need to anticipate and prepare for dependency failure-related shutdown.
In case such an application fails anyway due to the increased dependencies, the structure of the microservice application allows the software engineers to prevent simultaneous failure.
With microservices, you can insulate each service from being affected by the other. That way, temporary actions such as redeployments and downtime only affect some services.
It is also prudent to avoid Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) since they cause multiple failures that can derail your entire application.
It is possible to increase the resilience of your application by using a few key measures, such as hystrix, to reinforce your infrastructure.
Microservices Could Be the Answer for You
To conclude, several companies that started using a monolithic architectural framework have shifted to microservices.
For example, UBER started with a monolithic structure, but as they expanded and business grew, they shifted to microservices. Now Uber runs efficiently in third-world countries just as it does anywhere else.
The shift can only be attributed to one thing, and people are seeing how easy it is to improve and grow their businesses once they operate using a microservice application. The same could benefit you, too, if you take the leap!
