Atlassian's Playbook on Microservices: Navigating When Not to Use Them
[Easy Read] Navigating the Microservices Maze: When Small Isn't Always Mighty
TLDR;
Target audience: Pre-senior engineer
Microservices offer scalability and flexibility, but they're not always the best fit. Here's when to skip them:
Your app is small
Your team is small
It feels like over-engineering
Atlassian stuck with a monolithic architecture until 2018 when they broke it down into microservices because they followed these rules.
Introduction
Picture this: you're at a buffet, eyeing those bite-sized appetizers – tempting, right? But sometimes, you need that hearty, all-in-one meal.
Similarly, microservices offer scalability and flexibility, but they're not always the best fit for every dish on the tech menu. Let's dig into situations where opting for the 'mega meal' of a monolithic architecture might leave your project more satisfied!
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When not to use Microservices
Complexity outweighs benefits:
Simple applications: If your application is small, stable, and doesn't have complex functionalities, the added complexity of microservices might outweigh the benefits. A monolithic architecture might be simpler to manage and maintain.
Limited resources: Implementing and maintaining microservices requires time, expertise, and infrastructure. Teams with limited resources might struggle to manage the overhead, especially compared to a simpler monolithic approach.
Uncertain future: If your application is new or constantly evolving, the cost of refactoring into microservices later might be high. Sticking with a monolithic architecture allows for easier pivots and changes.
Technical challenges:
Distributed transactions: Coordinating transactions across multiple services can be complex and error-prone, especially with high data consistency requirements.
Testing and debugging: Testing and debugging individual services may be straightforward, but understanding and troubleshooting problems across the entire system can be challenging.
Monitoring and observability: Keeping track of all the moving parts in a microservice architecture can be complex, requiring robust monitoring and observability tools.
Organizational considerations:
Small teams: Teams with limited size or experience might struggle to effectively manage and develop microservices. Complex communication and coordination are required.
On-premise deployments: Microservices often rely on cloud-based infrastructure and automation. On-premise deployments might face difficulties with managing and scaling individual services.
Lack of buy-in: If the team or organization isn't fully committed to the microservice approach, it can lead to challenges with adoption, consistency, and long-term maintenance.
Closing Thoughts
Before we wrap up, I'd like to extend a special thanks to Alex Nguyen (Byte-sized Design) for their invaluable insights and guidance throughout the creation of this article.
So last but not least, microservices are a powerful tool, but not a one-size-fits-all solution. Always weigh the potential benefits against the added complexity and challenges before diving in.
Thanks!
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