Monolith or Microservices, And Why Microservices Are The Way To Go!
When someone started making software, they usually built all-in-one applications called monoliths. A monolith is like a big software blanket where everything is connected and relies on each other. At that time, the main goal was to create a working product without making things too complicated. But as software became more complex and users wanted more, the downsides of monoliths started to show.
Creating monolithic software came with its own problems. Because everything in a monolith is tightly connected, it became hard to make changes or grow specific parts without messing with the whole application. If you tried to tweak or change one thing, it caused a chain reaction, impacting other areas you did not expect. This lack of flexibility made it tough to be quick and adapt to new business needs.
A simple Solution
To deal with the difficulties of working with monoliths, developers looked for solutions. One attempt was to break the code into smaller parts, thinking it would make things easier to handle. However, this strategy often led to tangled connections between the sections, making it tricky for development teams to work together. The goal was to simplify, but instead, it unintentionally made things more complicated.
Another attempt to address monolith issues involved using tools for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). While these tools helped automate the testing and deployment processes, they did little to alleviate the inherent challenges of monolithic architecture.
Another approach
As the need for software that could grow and adapt increased, the way developers approached building applications started changing. This change led to the rise of microservices. Microservices mean breaking down a big application into smaller, independent parts that can be worked on, put into action, and expanded separately. This method fits nicely with the ideas of DevOps, which highlight working together, automating tasks, and constantly delivering updates.
DevOps are very important when using microservices. In this setup, development and operations join forces smoothly, making sure everything flows well and keeps moving. DevOps brings in automation tools that help quickly put microservices into action, reducing the time it takes to go from developing something to putting it out for users. And also the infrastructure in which Docker and Kubernetes play a huge role!
Kubernetes is the backbone of microservices, turning complexity into simplicity for seamless and scalable operations
Microservices let us scale things up better because each service can grow on its own when needed. This flexibility is a big plus when dealing with different amounts of work and adjusting to what users want. Unlike monoliths, where tweaking one part messes with the whole thing, microservices let developers make updates and add new features without messing up everything else.
It is like changing a tire without having to stop the whole car.
Microservices also have an extra benefit as they are good at handling problems without breaking everything. In a monolith however, if one part breaks, it could take the whole system down. With microservices, if something goes wrong, it usually stays contained to that one service. This helps stop big outages from happening all over the place. It is like having a backup plan that keeps a hiccup from turning into a full blown disaster.
An example would be Google’s Gmail, and how they use microservices. Imagine the search function in Gmail is a microservice. If, for some reason, the search tool has a glitch or is down, it doesn’t mean your entire email is down. You can still send, get, and organize your emails just fine. Sure, the search might take a little break, but the whole email is still working. This is a cool example of how microservices are, one might take a nap, but the others keep saving the day.
So, moving from monoliths to microservices is like upgrading to a better way of doing things in the software world. Back when things were simpler, monoliths worked okay, there was not need even for DevOps, but now we need software that can handle more and change quickly.
Microservices bring the flexibility and speed we need to tackle the challenges we face today. It is not about saying bye to the past, it is about picking the right tools for today’s job.
If companies start using microservices and use DevOps methodologies, they can speed up how quickly they get stuff out there, make things bigger when they need to, and get tougher so they can handle whatever comes their way. These things are super important for hitting the bullseye in today’s business. So, it is not just about keeping up, it is about setting the stage for success.
