What are Microservices and Why Do We Need Them?

In the modern development world, the term “Microservices” has become one of the hottest concepts. It refers to an architectural approach in which an application is composed of a set of small, independent services that communicate with each other through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Each service focuses on executing a specific task and can be developed, built, tested, and deployed independently.

The shift to microservices allows for significant flexibility in the development and maintenance of applications. Unlike monolithic architecture, where the entire application is under a single codebase, microservices enable teams to work independently on different parts of the application, reducing development time and improving code quality.

One of the standout benefits of microservices is the ability to scale flexibly and efficiently. Individual services can be scaled as needed, without the need to scale the entire application. This not only saves resources but also allows for more efficient handling of workloads.

Microservices also offer significant advantages in terms of resilience. Since each service is independent, a failure in one service does not necessarily affect the entire application. This reduces the risk of system-wide failures and allows for quicker recovery of faulty services.

Developing with microservices allows for technological flexibility. Each service can use different technologies, programming languages, and databases, according to its specific requirements. This enables organizations to leverage the best technologies for each task and maintain flexibility in technology choices.

Finally, microservices provide a significant advantage in the area of integration and collaboration with external services. The distributed architecture facilitates integration with external APIs and third-party services, allowing the application to be more modular and easily integrated with other systems.

Monolithic Architecture

In contrast to microservices, monolithic architecture refers to an application where all its components are combined together in one large file or a small number of files. This is a more traditional approach to software development, where the application’s logic, user interface, and database access are merged into the same unit.

Tailoring the Architecture to Needs

Choosing the right architecture depends on various factors such as project size, scalability needs, application complexity, and available development resources. While microservices offer excellent flexibility and scalability, they also require more complex management and inter-service communication. On the other hand, monolithic architecture might be simpler for development and maintenance but could be limiting in cases of high scalability needs or rapid development of new components.

When to Choose Monolithic and When to Choose Microservices

Choosing a monolithic approach is recommended when:

• The project is small to medium in size.
• The team is looking for a simpler solution for development and maintenance.
• There is little or no need for scalability.
• The project is planned to be relatively static without frequent changes or the addition of new functionalities.

Choosing microservices is recommended when:

• The project is complex or large in size.
• There is a need for high scalability and flexibility in separate services.
• The project requires independent and frequent development and release of components.
• The team consists of experts in various fields and wants to utilize diverse technologies and programming languages.

In conclusion, the decision between microservices and monolithic architecture should be based on a careful assessment of the specific needs of the project, organization, and team. Each approach brings unique advantages and challenges, and the right choice will lead to the success of the project in both the short and long term.