Definition #
Microservices architecture structures applications as loosely-coupled services, each implementing specific business capabilities and communicating via lightweight protocols.
Key Characteristics #
- Decentralized data management
- Polyglot persistence support
- Independent scalability
- Failure isolation
- Continuous delivery enabled
Why It Matters #
Enables agile development at scale, allowing large organizations to maintain velocity while working on complex systems through team autonomy and technical flexibility.
Common Use Cases #
- E-commerce platforms with separate catalog/cart/services
- Streaming media platforms
- Banking transaction systems
- IoT device management systems
- Multi-tenant SaaS applications
Examples #
- Netflix’s streaming service architecture
- Uber’s ride management system
- Spotify’s playlist service
- Amazon’s product recommendation engine
- Twitter’s tweet delivery system
FAQs #
Q: How small should a microservice be?
A: Sized to match business capabilities, not arbitrary lines of code.
Q: What’s the API Gateway pattern?
A: Central entry point that handles routing, composition, and protocol translation.
Q: When are monoliths preferable?
A: For small teams or simple applications with tight integration needs.