Microservices Best Practices: For Leaders and Coders

Have you ever wondered why certain large tech companies constantly release new products while others find it difficult to update their software? It’s because they build their software in a smart way. Traditional methods are slow and solid, like old cars. But there’s a new and exciting way called Microservices Architecture that’s like a fast and adaptable sports car. And if you want to drive it smoothly, you need to follow some rules known as Microservices Best Practices.

Imagine a scenario where your software can scale without difficulty, recover from errors gracefully, and instantly adjust to changing user needs. Microservices makes that world real; it is not science fiction. But to harness this transformative power, you need more than just the right tools. You need a roadmap, a set of guiding principles, best practices, and a clear understanding of the landscape.

In this article, we’ll take a fun ride into the world of microservices while using these essential Microservices Best Practices as our roadmap. We’ll explore what makes microservices exciting, how they’re changing the way software is made, and how these Microservices Best Practices can make your projects smoother and more successful.

So, are you prepared to dive in and learn how microservices, with their best practices, might be your hidden weapon in the world of software development? Let’s go!

Table of contents

• Understanding Monolithic and Microservices Architectures
• When to Consider Microservices?
• What are the Benefits of a Microservices Architecture?
• Real-World Scenario: A Video Streaming Application
• What are Microservices Best Practices?
• Microservices Best Practices Summary
• Conclusion
• Microservices Best Practices FAQ

Understanding Monolithic and Microservices Architectures

Two distinctive paradigms, monolithic architecture and microservices architecture, have emerged in the field of software architecture.

It is essential to comprehend these architectural ideas as we dig deeper into Microservices Best Practices. Similar to having a map before setting out on a journey, understanding your starting point (monolithic architecture) and destination (microservices architecture) can help you traverse the path successfully.

So, let’s start by identifying these two essential strategies to set the foundation for our exploration of Microservices Best Practices.

What is Monolithic Architecture?

A traditional method of software design called monolithic architecture involves creating an entire application as a single, tightly connected unit. In this paradigm, the application’s various parts, features, and services are all linked together and dependent on one another. It resembles building a huge, monolithic construction where every component is assembled into a single huge block. Even while monolithic architecture has been used and known for a long time, it does have some drawbacks.

E.g.
Imagine a traditional e-commerce website with a single codebase that tightly integrates the user accounts, shopping cart, and payment processing with the product catalog. It may be necessary to deploy the entire application after any modification or update to one of these components.

What is Microservices Architecture?

Microservices Architecture, in comparison, is a cutting-edge and adaptable method of creating software. According to this paradigm, an application is broken up into a number of tiny, autonomous services, each of which is in charge of a single functional component. These services function independently, much like discrete building pieces that can be put together in different ways. Scalability, agility and the capacity to update and deploy individual components of the application are all facilitated by microservices.

E.g.
Think about Netflix or other modern streaming platforms. Each service, including authentication, video streaming, recommendation engines, and billing, functions separately as a microservice. These microservices communicate using clear APIs, enabling Netflix to adapt and scale each service as necessary without affecting the platform as a whole.

Read our blog for a comprehensive comparison between Microservices vs Monolith Architecture.

Now, before we continue our exploration to discover how to make the most of Microservices Architecture through Microservices Best Practices, it’s essential to answer fundamental questions: When should you consider adopting a Microservices Architecture, and what are the Microservices Architecture Benefits?

When to Consider Microservices?

Choosing to use microservices in software architecture is not a one-size-fits-all option. Before stepping into the world of microservices, it is crucial to assess the particular requirements and characteristics of your project. Understanding when to use this architectural paradigm can have a big impact on how well your project turns out.

Here are a few of the key reasons why you can consider using Microservices Architecture.

1. Complexity Overload:
   It could be time to investigate microservices if your monolithic application gets excessively complicated and challenging to manage. A single, tightly linked codebase gets difficult to maintain as your software expands and gains more features.
   
   
   
2. Demands for scalability:
   Microservices can offer a solution if your application faces fluctuating levels of demand for various features or services. By scaling each Microservice individually, you may distribute resources where they are most needed, resulting in increased productivity.
   
   
   
3. Team Dynamics:
   If you have different development teams, each with a unique set of skills, think about using microservices. These teams can operate independently on discrete services thanks to microservices, which promotes autonomy and lowers the coordination burden.
   
   
   
4. Technology Diversity:
   Microservices enable smooth technology mixing and matching when you need the freedom to utilize alternative technologies, languages, or frameworks for different areas of your application.
   
   
   
5. Frequent upgrades:
   Microservices enable autonomous deployment if your project requires quick development cycles and frequent upgrades. When you have to make adjustments fast to meet client requests or stay one step ahead of the competition, this agility is especially crucial.
   
   
   
6. Independently Deploy New Functionality:
   With microservices, you may independently implement new features in particular services without disrupting the overall application. This increases adaptability and quickens the development of new features while maintaining the dependability of current services.

What are the Benefits of a Microservices Architecture?

In the realm of software development, the microservices architecture has become incredibly popular, and for good reasons. In addition to the scenarios mentioned in the above section, Microservices Architecture offers a range of benefits that enhance your software development and operational capabilities. These advantages make Microservices an attractive choice for organizations seeking to address specific challenges and take full advantage of modern software practices. Let’s explore these additional Microservices Benefits shortly.

1. Scalability:
   Microservices give you the opportunity to assign resources to particular components efficiently, assuring peak performance while lowering operating expenses.
   
   
   
2. Fault Isolation:
   Microservices offer isolation, preventing problems with one service from influencing others. By improving system resilience and stability, this fault containment lessens the overall impact of prospective breakdowns.
   
   
   
3. Technology Flexibility:
   Each microservice can use the technology stack that is most suited for it, allowing teams to select the appropriate tools for the tasks they need to do. This increases development productivity and innovation.
   
   
   
4. Independent Deployment:
   Microservices enable independent deployment, allowing for the updating of individual services without affecting the operation of the entire application. Rapid feature releases and user feedback responses are made possible by this.
   
   
   
5. Fault Tolerance:
   By implementing fault tolerance methods like circuit breakers and retries, microservices make sure the overall system is still functional and responsive even when a service fails.
   
   
   
6. Faster Time to Market:
   By allowing shorter development cycles, microservices enhance the release of new features and updates. This quick pace enables businesses to exploit market possibilities more quickly.
   
   
   
7. Increased Modularity:
   By encouraging a modular architecture, microservices make application maintenance and extension easier. Because each service focuses on a particular feature or function, code complexity decreases, and modifications are made easier.
   
   
   
8. Resource Efficiency:
   Microservices optimize the use of resources, cutting down on waste and running expenses. To fulfill each service requirements, resources are properly allocated, increasing cost-effectiveness.
   
   
   
9. Support for Two-Pizza Development Teams:
   Supporting small, focused teams, also referred to as “two-pizza teams,” improves cooperation and decision-making within development groups, streamlining development processes and encouraging ownership and accountability.
   
   
   
10. Outsourcing Flexibility:
    Microservices give organizations the option to outsource particular services, enabling them to draw on specialized knowledge and cut development costs.
    
    
    
11. Attractive for Engineers:
    Engineers are drawn to microservices architecture because it supports contemporary development methodologies, such as DevOps, and gives them the chance to work on specialized, autonomous services, which increases job satisfaction. 
    
    

Now that we’ve explored the concepts of Monolithic and Microservices architectures, identified when to consider adopting Microservices, and recognized the manifold benefits of this modern approach, it’s time to delve into the heart of the matter. In the upcoming section, we’ll uncover the Microservices Best Practices that are vital to successfully implementing this architecture. 

These Microservices Best practices will help you navigate the challenges of developing microservices and will make sure that your software is reliable, scalable, and flexible.

Without further ado, let’s quickly see a real-time application, explore these Microservices Best Practices, and discover how to use the full potential of the Microservices Architecture.

Real-World Scenario – A Video Streaming Application

Consider a well-known video streaming service that provides a huge selection of films and TV series to millions of consumers across the globe. User authentication, content recommendations, video playback, and payment processing are just a few of the essential parts of this service. 

These components are tightly connected within a single codebase in the traditional monolithic approach, creating challenges with updates and scalability. The application can be changed if someone wants to address these restrictions and take advantage of a Microservices Architecture. 

Each Microservice in this new paradigm is responsible for a particular task, such as user authentication, content suggestion, or payment processing. Significant benefits, such as improved scalability, fault tolerance, and quicker development cycles, are promised with this change. 

Now, let’s explore each of the Microservices Best Practices and how they may be used to enhance this Video Streaming Application for a seamless user experience and quick software development.

What are Microservices Best Practices?

Microservices Best Practice #1: Evaluate Whether Microservices Architecture Best Fits The Requirements

Before diving headfirst into your Microservices journey, think about whether this architectural style is appropriate for your project. This is the first and one of the most important Microservices Best Practices to consider. Take into account aspects like how complex your project is, whether it needs to scale quickly, the dynamics of your development teams, the variety of technologies used, how frequently you need updates, and whether you need independently deployable elements. Avoid adopting the microservices trend just because it’s popular by analyzing your project to find areas where it makes sense to divide it into more manageable, value-driven operations. 

Ensure that your application can be split into microservices without losing its fundamental functionality by carefully designing and evaluating it.

E.g.

We should assess whether microservices are appropriate for the video streaming application before jumping in. We might consider keeping the video streaming portion as a monolith while implementing microservices for user authentication and payment processing if we discover that the video streaming service itself doesn’t need frequent updates or scalability, but other components like user authentication and payment processing do.

Microservices Best Practice #2: Single Responsibility Principle

One fundamental principle to bear in mind when exploring the realm of microservices is to keep them focused and modest. It is referred to as the “Single Responsibility Principle.” It implies that each microservice should only be in charge of one task or responsibility. Why? Well, if a microservice is overloaded with tasks and something goes wrong, it could have a domino effect on the entire system.

E.g.

In the video streaming application, we can divide out various microservices for specialized tasks in accordance with the single responsibility concept. For instance, we may create a Login Service that handles user login alone, a Video Service that handles video playback alone, and a Recommendation Service that concentrates on suggesting content. Each microservice would carry out its specific mission on its own.

Microservices Best Practice #3: Use Asynchronous Communication To Achieve Loose Coupling

Microservices frequently communicate with one another using either synchronous or asynchronous methods. Synchronous communication resembles a direct dialogue in which one microservice asks for something and then waits for a prompt reply. Asynchronous communication, on the other hand, resembles mailing a letter with a reply address. In this instance, the sender doesn’t wait for a prompt reply but instead moves on to other responsibilities.  

Enhancing flexibility and resilience requires achieving loose coupling between microservices. In contrast to synchronous communication, where microservices interact in real-time and wait for prompt responses, this third essential Microservices Best Practice emphasizes the usage of asynchronous communication.

E.g.

We can use asynchronous communication for some tasks in the video streaming application to achieve loose coupling between microservices. For instance, when a user uploads a video, the Upload Service can send a message to the Video Processing Service, which will process the video asynchronously rather than waiting for instant processing. The upload and processing phases are separated in this way, which increases scalability and reliability.

Microservices Best Practice #4: API First Design

A core principle of microservices architecture is Programming Language Interface (API) First Design. For your microservices, it involves creating clear APIs before you begin implementing the real functionality. This strategy guarantees that your microservices are created with uniform and transparent communication interfaces, facilitating cooperation and integration between services. 

In actual use, API First Design begins with the design of API contracts, which include endpoints, request-response formats, and data models. This design method focuses on the interactions that various microservices will have with one another and with external systems. By defining these contracts up front, development teams can work concurrently, with front-end and back-end developers creating services based on the agreed-upon API requirements.

E.g.

By creating unambiguous API contracts for our microservices in the video streaming application, we can use API First Design. We would create request-response formats, data models, and API endpoints for the Recommendation Service that would allow users to get personalized recommendations. This strategy makes sure that all microservices are created with uniform communication interfaces, which makes it easier to integrate services.

Microservices Best Practice #5: Have Different Databases Or Data Stores For Each Microservice

It’s crucial to ensure that each microservice has its own unique database or data store when using a microservices architecture. In order to maintain data consistency and reduce dependencies, this Microservices Best Practice encourages independence and isolation between services. Choose the appropriate database, make any necessary adjustments to the infrastructure, and retain it just for your microservice. If all of your microservices use the same database, any changes or outages would affect all of the microservices that use the database, defeating the point.

E.g.

We can continue to use the convention of having distinct databases for each microservice in the video streaming application. For instance, the Video Service would keep a database for video metadata, the Recommendation Service would have a database specifically for storing user preferences, and the Login Service would have a database specifically for user account information. This division guarantees data separation and minimizes dependencies.

Microservices Best Practice #6: Include Backward Compatibility For The Service Endpoints You Are Exposing

It’s crucial to preserve backward compatibility for service endpoints as your microservices develop. This guarantees that consumers can take advantage of the most recent improvements while maintaining uninterrupted service for existing users.  Maintain backward compatibility as much as possible to prevent broken APIs from being used by your customers. In spite of our best efforts, software engineers occasionally need to deprecate APIs so we’re not forced to keep using them indefinitely. 

E.g.

We are able to guarantee backward compatibility for service endpoints as we improve the video streaming service. To guarantee that existing clients continue to work, we can continue to support the previous endpoints even if we add a new API endpoint for video playback. This procedure prevents users who might be using earlier versions of our program from disruptions.

Microservices Best Practice #7: Documentation And Communication

Give documentation and open communication between development teams working on various Microservices top priority. Keep APIs, dependencies, and integration points’ documentation complete and up to date. Collaboration and awareness amongst teams are improved through effective communication, which facilitates more efficient development and debugging procedures. Think of it as ensuring that everyone in a team speaks the same language and has access to a shared playbook.

E.g.

We can prioritize documentation and open communication among development teams in the project for a video streaming application. For each microservice API, for instance, we could produce thorough documentation that includes endpoints and data models. In order to ensure efficient development and debugging procedures, we can also arrange regular meetings to discuss integration points and dependencies between microservices.

Microservices Best Practice #8: Secure Microservices For Data Protection

Implement robust security measures to safeguard important data inside Microservices. For the purpose of preventing data breaches and unauthorized access, security should be a fundamental component of your microservices architecture. Each Microservice should include strong security measures, including encryption of critical data, role-based access controls, and frequent security audits. Customer data is protected following this Microservices Best Practice. 

E.g.

We can put strong security measures in place within each microservice to protect sensitive user data in the video streaming service. For instance, to prevent unauthorized access to user data, the Login Service can use encryption for user credentials, the Payment Service can implement role-based access control, and the Recommendation Service can conduct regular security audits.

Microservices Best Practice #9: Containerize Your Microservices And Use Orchestration

Scalability and resource management can be improved by containerizing Microservices with tools like Docker and leveraging orchestration systems like Kubernetes. This guarantees that our application can effectively allocate resources as required, particularly during times of high usage. You may deploy and manage individual services independently with containerized microservices without affecting services hosted on other containers. Additionally, containers provide platform independence and interoperability, which perfectly complement the objectives of the microservice design.

E.g.

The video streaming application can use Docker to containerize microservices, and Kubernetes can be used for orchestration. For the Login Service, Recommendation Service, and Video Service, for instance, we can build Docker containers. These containers can then be managed by Kubernetes, ensuring independent resource allocation and scalability for each service.

You might also enjoy: Serverless vs Containers

Microservices Best Practice #10: Continuous Integration And Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

A crucial Microservices Best Practice in the world of microservices is Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment, or CI/CD. Microservice testing, integration, and deployment are automated by CI/CD pipelines, enabling quick and reliable pushes of changes into production. CI/CD tools for pipelines aid in maintaining the integrity of the entire system because each microservice is created and tested independently. These procedures can be automated so that development teams can offer new features and bug fixes quickly, respond to user input right away, and uphold a high standard of software quality throughout the microservices ecosystem. 

The key principles of the microservices architecture are well aligned with this Microservices Best Practice, which not only speeds up development cycles but also improves the application’s general agility and responsiveness.

E.g.

We can set up CI/CD pipelines for each microservice in the project for a video streaming service. For instance, testing and deployment can be automated via the CI/CD pipeline for the Recommendation Service. As a result, we are able to update each microservice consistently and quickly, maintaining high software quality and responsiveness to user feedback.

Microservices Best Practice #11: Use A Centralized Logging And Monitoring System

Keeping track of numerous services and their interconnections is difficult yet necessary in a complex microservices architecture. Here is when a central logging and monitoring system is useful. Teams may see in real-time the performance and health of their entire system by combining the logs and analytics from all microservices into a single platform. Early defect identification, prompt problem-solving, and proactive capacity planning are all made possible by this practice. It also makes it easier to audit, comply with regulations, and debug, ensuring that every microservice performs at its best and adds to the application’s overall dependability and stability. 

A centralized logging and monitoring solution essentially serves as the active guard of your microservices ecosystem, allowing you to maintain a high level of observability and provide great user experiences.

E.g.

It will be essential to implement a centralized logging and monitoring system for the video streaming service. We could, for example, combine the analytics and logs from the Login Service, Video Service, and Recommendation Service into one place. This enables us to proactively plan for capacity demands and monitor the performance and health of the entire application in real time.

Microservices Best Practice #12: Comprehend The Cultural Shift

Technology is only one aspect of implementing a microservices architecture; it also involves a significant organizational culture shift. Breaking down boundaries between development and operations teams, developing a culture of collaboration, and encouraging a shared sense of ownership and responsibility for the entire software ecosystem are frequently necessary in order to embrace microservices. 

The adoption of DevOps practices by teams is required, emphasizing automation, continuous improvement, and quick feedback loops. This cultural shift involves giving people the freedom to choose, accept responsibility for their microservices, and continuously pursue excellence. It involves accepting change, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and cultivating a culture that encourages innovation and resiliency. 

The success of your microservices journey ultimately depends on your ability to comprehend and manage this cultural transition, just as it is important to accept the technical components of microservices.

E.g.

We can encourage a culture change in our organization to use a microservices design for the video streaming application. For instance, by promoting communication between the development and operations teams, we may create an innovative and continuous improvement-oriented culture. Adopting DevOps practices, putting an emphasis on automation, and allowing teams to take control of their microservices are all part of this cultural revolution.

Microservices Best Practices Summary

Conclusion

As our exploration of the world of microservices comes to a close, it’s evident that this architectural strategy has resulted in a new era of software development. We now understand the key elements of microservices and the critical time to think about implementing them. We have also looked at the many advantages that microservices offer, such as enhanced modularity, scalability, and fault separation.

However, the journey doesn’t end here. Implementing Microservices Best Practices is crucial for maximizing the potential of microservices. 

You may create a solid foundation for your Microservices architecture benefits by determining whether Microservices are the best fit for your requirements, adhering to the Single Responsibility Principle, and embracing techniques like Asynchronous Communication and API-first Design. The development process will be streamlined and collaboration improved by using different Databases for each Microservice, retaining Backward Compatibility, and giving Documentation and Communication top priority, as advocated by Microservices Best Practices.

Your Microservices ecosystem will become resilient and flexible by concentrating on Security, Containerization, and Orchestration as well as building CI/CD pipelines, Centralized Logging, and Monitoring Systems. Finally, the success of your Microservices journey depends on your ability to comprehend the Culture Shift towards Collaboration, DevOps, and Continuous Improvement, all of which are emphasized in Microservices Best Practices.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your software development journey, whether it’s implementing Microservices, adhering to Microservices Best practices for a new project, or refactoring your existing monolithic system with Microservices Best Practices in mind, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you harness the power of Microservices and guide you toward excellence and success.

Microservices Best Practices FAQ