2 4 1 Cloud native applications

Summary

Cloud native applications are designed to operate exclusively in the cloud, utilizing microservices for scalability and flexibility. Packaged in containers, they enable frequent updates without disrupting user experience. Unlike monolithic apps, they separate user interfaces, business logic, and data layers, allowing independent feature rollouts and scaling. Key principles include adopting microservices architecture, relying on containers, and using Agile methods for iterative updates. Use cases span everything cloud-based, emphasizing standardized logging, events, and distributed tracing for efficient management.

Takeaways

• 🌟 **Cloud Native Definition**: Cloud native applications are designed to operate in the cloud, either natively or refactored to follow cloud native principles.
• 🛠️ **Microservices Architecture**: These applications are composed of microservices that can operate and scale independently.
• 📦 **Containerization**: Microservices are often packaged in containers, which include the code, libraries, and dependencies needed to run the application.
• 🔄 **Iterative Improvement**: Cloud native apps allow for frequent updates and iterations without affecting the end-user experience.
• 🚫 **Distinct from Monolithic**: Unlike monolithic applications, cloud native apps do not tightly couple UI, business logic, and data layers.
• 🌐 **Use Case Example**: A travel website can use cloud native principles where each service like flights, hotels, and cars is a separate microservice.
• 🛑 **Independent Scalability**: Each microservice can scale independently, such as specials and discounts on a travel site.
• 🔧 **Development Principles**: Developers follow a set of principles including microservices architecture, container use, and Agile methods for cloud native apps.
• 🌉 **Cloud Infrastructure**: Cloud native apps are designed for hybrid and multicloud environments, utilizing cloud infrastructure.
• 📈 **Benefits**: Cloud native apps enable innovation, business agility, and leverage a commoditized solution stack.
• 🔬 **Standardization**: For cloud native apps, standardization of logging, events, and distributed tracing is crucial for development efficiency and system reliability.

Q & A

What is a cloud native application?

A cloud native application is either an application developed to work exclusively in the cloud or an existing application refactored to adhere to cloud native principles. It consists of microservices that work together but can be independently scaled and updated.

How do microservices in a cloud native application function?

Microservices in a cloud native application operate independently, allowing for individual scaling and iteration without affecting other services or disrupting the end-user experience.

What is the significance of containers in cloud native applications?

Containers are the packaging units for cloud native applications, including the application code, libraries, and dependencies, enabling the application to run consistently across different environments.

How does a cloud native application differ from a traditional monolithic application?

Cloud native applications are built as a collection of microservices, unlike monolithic applications which are a single piece of software tightly coupling the user interface, business logic, and data layer.

Can you provide an example of a cloud native application?

A travel website where each service like flights, hotels, and cars is a separate microservice that can independently roll out new features and scale is an example of a cloud native application.

What are the key development principles for creating cloud native applications?

Developers should follow microservices architecture, rely on containers for flexibility, scalability, and portability, and adopt Agile methods for quick iterative updates based on user feedback.

Who is Andrea Crawford and what is her role in the context of this script?

Andrea Crawford is with IBM Cloud and she discusses cloud native applications, comparing the traditional monolithic apps with the newer microservices-based cloud native approach.

What is the role of the scheduling and orchestration layer in cloud native applications?

The scheduling and orchestration layer, often involving control planes like Kubernetes, manages how microservices are deployed, managed, and scaled in a cloud native environment.

What benefits can cloud native applications leverage?

Cloud native applications can enable innovation, business agility, and take advantage of the commoditization of the solution stack, allowing for lower gravity core services and freeing up innovation.

What are the use cases for building a cloud native application?

Any application that lives in the cloud should be designed with a cloud native approach, including standardization of logging, events, and the use of services like load balancing, service discovery, and routing.

What is the importance of standardizing logging and events in cloud native applications?

Standardizing logging and events simplifies the development process by providing a common language for development squads, allowing for easier integration and management of microservices.

What does the term 'commoditization' mean in the context of cloud native applications?

Commoditization in cloud native applications refers to the process of transforming unique services into standardized, easily replaceable components, which can be leveraged across different applications and services.