A monolithic system is built using software architecture where the entire application is designed and deployed as a single unit. All software components are interconnected and share the same codebase and data management. Essentially, it's like all its parts are stuck together in a big block that cannot be taken apart. The components are interdependent, meaning that any changes made to one component will affect others, whether intentionally or not. This can have a negative impact on the system, mainly in terms of increased risks for bugs and potential degradation of the system’s overall performance.
Most legacy systems today are designed using a monolithic architecture where all components are interdependent.
If a monolithic application needs to scale, the entire application must be duplicated and then run on multiple servers (after previously running on only one), regardless of the varying resource needs of different parts of the system.
Microservices, or microservice architecture, is a design pattern where the software is structured and built as small, independent services. Each of these services is focused on a specific task or function and is entirely independent of the others. The term microservices refers to both the overall architecture and the actual units within it.
The independence of each part allows them to be developed, tested, deployed, and scaled individually without affecting other parts of the application. This makes it easier to modify and add features to the system. A development team can work on different services simultaneously and release various updates, independently of what others are working on. They can also use different programming languages, thereby avoiding being tied to a specific technology.
If a monolithic application needs to scale, the entire application must be duplicated and then run on multiple servers (after previously running on only one), regardless of the varying resource needs of different parts of the system.
Microservices, or microservice architecture, is a design pattern where the software is structured and built as small, independent services. Each of these services is focused on a specific task or function and is entirely independent of the others. The term microservices refers to both the overall architecture and the actual units within it.
The independence of each part allows them to be developed, tested, deployed, and scaled individually without affecting other parts of the application. This makes it easier to modify and add features to the system. A development team can work on different services simultaneously and release various updates, independently of what others are working on. They can also use different programming languages, thereby avoiding being tied to a specific technology.
For these separate components to work together in a system, they need to be integrated with each other. This is usually done using APIs, ensuring a standardized and predictable interface for integration.
A prerequisite for realizing the benefits of microservices is that they are loosely coupled. Loose coupling is an overarching concept that reduces dependency between software components and allows microservices to be autonomous.
In recent years, there has been a clear trend towards abandoning monolithic systems in favour of microservice architecture. The reasons for this shift are several:
Microservices enable agile development and fast release cycles as new features and updates can be introduced quickly without affecting the entire system.
Scaling a system with microservice architecture is straightforward, and it can be done efficiently since developers only need to focus on the services that actually need scaling. The rest can remain untouched.
Thanks to the independence of services, it is significantly easier to diagnose and isolate errors than in a monolithic system. If an error occurs in a single microservice, it will not automatically affect other parts of the system.
Microservices offer a high degree of flexibility, allowing different technologies to be mixed in a way that is not possible in a monolithic system. This enables developers to choose the best technology for a specific function without being limited to a few options.
Microservices make it possible to be adaptable and make changes quickly. Companies can adapt to market needs rapidly and experiment with different additions and features – if something doesn't work, it can be easily removed.
Maintenance of microservices is more straightforward as they are smaller and focus on specific functions. This also makes them easier to understand and reuse.
Many companies cling to their monolithic legacy systems because they believe they cannot live without them. Often, a monolithic legacy system is the central system of the business, containing everything – even things it is not designed for. For this reason alone, it is no longer sustainable to keep it.
Organizations often make extensive adaptations to a system to meet their specific needs, making it impossible to add new features or update the system. It is also common for performance and security to deteriorate, and patching may become impossible. The system has simply surpassed its expiration date – by far.
Abandoning the old legacy system may feel like a big, almost impossible step, but it will be worth it. More and more companies have discovered the benefits of microservices, making them willing to undertake the change, a change that needs to be done to remain competitive.
Block QuoteBack
