Systems
Microservices
Plain English
Lots of small glossaryServiceA service is a component or function that performs a specific task within a system.Open glossary term working together.
Definition
Microservices is an glossaryArchitectureArchitecture refers to the structure and organisation of a system, including how components interact and are designed.Open glossary term where a glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term is built from small, independent glossaryServiceA service is a component or function that performs a specific task within a system.Open glossary term that communicate with each other.
In practice
Used to improve glossaryScalabilityScalability is the ability of a system to handle increased demand without losing performance.Open glossary term, flexibility, and independent glossaryDeploymentDeployment is the process of releasing software or updates to a live environment.Open glossary term.
In context
The trade is usually misjudged. You exchange the complexity inside one codebase for complexity between many, and that second kind needs tooling and discipline most teams add afterwards.
The reality
Microservices introduce complexity in communication and management.
Compared with
Microservices vs Monolith
A glossaryMonolithA monolith is a single, unified system where all components are tightly integrated.Open glossary term keeps everything in one deployable unit: simpler to run, harder to scale in parts and across teams. Microservices split it, gaining independence at the cost of network calls, versioning, and distributed failure.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What are microservices?
They are small independent glossaryServiceA service is a component or function that performs a specific task within a system.Open glossary term that form a glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term.
Why use microservices?
They improve glossaryScalabilityScalability is the ability of a system to handle increased demand without losing performance.Open glossary term and flexibility.
What is a downside of microservices?
Increased complexity and coordination.
When should you use microservices?
When glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term need to scale and evolve independently.
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