What is a MICROSERVICE ARCHITECTURE and what are its advantages?

Summary

The video script explores the debate between monolithic and microservices architecture in software engineering. It clarifies misconceptions about monoliths not needing to be single machines and microservices not being about tiny machines. The script outlines the advantages of monolithic architecture, such as ease of deployment and faster execution, and its disadvantages, including complexity for new developers and the risk of system-wide crashes. Conversely, microservices offer easier scaling, focused context for developers, and parallel development but require careful architectural planning to avoid unnecessary complexity. The script suggests microservices are often preferred for large systems, with examples like Google and Facebook, while Stack Overflow successfully uses a monolith.

Takeaways

• 🏢 Monolith architectures are not limited to a single machine; they can be horizontally scaled across multiple servers with clients connecting to any of them.
• 🔍 The misconception that monoliths are massive single systems is debunked; they can be distributed across several machines.
• 🛠 Microservices are not about small size but rather about focusing on single business units, with all relevant data and functions encapsulated within.
• 🔑 A key advantage of monoliths is their suitability for small, cohesive teams where the overhead of microservices might be too high.
• 🚀 Monolithic systems benefit from simplicity in deployment and testing, as everything is contained within a single service without the need for network calls.
• 🔄 One of the main disadvantages of monoliths is the complexity for new team members to understand the entire system's context.
• 📈 Monoliths can face deployment challenges as changes require redeployment and monitoring of the entire system.
• 🔄 Microservices offer the advantage of easier scaling, focusing on individual services and their dedicated databases.
• 👥 New developers can be onboarded more easily with microservices, as they only need to understand the context of their assigned service.
• 🔄 Parallel development is facilitated in microservices due to reduced dependencies between different service teams.
• 🛑 A potential pitfall of microservices is the complexity in design, which requires a skilled architect to avoid unnecessary fragmentation.
• 📚 Large systems are often better suited to microservices, but it's important to justify this choice in system design interviews.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between a monolithic architecture and a microservices architecture?

A monolithic architecture consists of a single, large system running on one or more machines, with all clients connecting to a single system. In contrast, a microservices architecture is composed of small, independent services, each running its own function and connected to its own database, with clients typically interacting with a gateway that communicates with the services internally.

Is it true that a monolith must run on a single machine?

No, a monolith can be deployed across multiple machines and does not necessarily mean a single large machine running the entire system. It can be horizontally scaled to handle more load.

What misconception is there about the size of microservices?

The misconception is that microservices are tiny machines. In reality, a microservice is a single business unit with all relevant data and functions encapsulated, and it can vary in size depending on the business logic it handles.

What are some advantages of using a monolithic architecture?

Advantages include easier deployment, less duplication of setup code, faster execution due to local calls within the same system, and suitability for small, cohesive teams that may not have the resources to manage a distributed system.

What are the disadvantages of a monolithic architecture when it comes to new team members?

New team members need to have a comprehensive understanding of the entire system, as the monolith contains all the logic, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming to learn.

How do deployments in a monolithic architecture differ from those in a microservices architecture?

In a monolithic architecture, any change in the code requires a new deployment of the entire system, which can be complex and needs to be monitored closely. In contrast, microservices allow for more granular deployments affecting only the specific service that has changed.

What are the main advantages of a microservices architecture?

Microservices offer easier scaling, as each service can be scaled independently based on demand. They also facilitate easier onboarding for new developers, enable parallel development due to reduced dependencies, and allow for more targeted scaling of services under load.

What is a potential disadvantage of microservices in terms of system design?

A disadvantage is that microservices can be challenging to design correctly. If a service is overly granular or only communicates with one other service, it might not be a true microservice and could lead to unnecessary complexity.

How does the complexity of tests differ between monolithic and microservices architectures?

Tests in a monolithic architecture can be more complicated due to the tight coupling of components. In a microservices architecture, tests can be more focused and isolated to individual services, which simplifies the testing process.

What are some examples of companies that successfully use a monolithic architecture?

Stack Overflow is a well-known example of a company that uses a monolithic architecture effectively.

Which companies are known for their extensive use of microservices?

Companies like Google and Facebook are known for their extensive use of microservices in their architectures.