Decoding Java Microservices to Help You Do it Right the First Time

Easy to build and quick to deploy, Microservices are gaining momentum in the development world. Microservices reduce development complexity and allow you to adopt new technologies. Businesses looking to stay competitive are transforming their existing monolithic architecture to microservices for Java development. So, if you are considering a transition, make sure it’s the right choice for you.    

Read this blog to know:

• When to use a microservices architecture
• How to deploy microservices in Java
• Advantages and Disadvantages of microservices
• Best deployment tools to use
• Important factors to consider before opting for a microservices architecture

When Do Microservices Make Sense?

Microservices is a software development process that emphasizes on designing single-purpose modules. These modules have specific operations and interfaces. Instead of building software solutions as a whole, microservices split up the functionality into unique processes. 

Then each process is designed and developed as an independent solution. Finally, all the microservices are combined for effective and efficient Java development. Microservices significantly reduce complexity and make it easy to adopt new technology. It also helps you clear the clutter and stay competitive. 

A good reason to move a monolithic application architecture to microservices is to scale certain aspects and important capabilities of your architecture quickly. For instance, a payment app that is connected to a banking system should be scalable and resilient.

If many people use the app simultaneously, the app should have the capacity to scale up for seamless use. In that case, just the service quality of the app needs scaling, while everything else remains unchanged. 

So, microservices make perfect sense if you need flexibility, scalability, reliability for quick and easy development for complex applications. Additionally, these benefits should address your unique business needs for a successful transition. Finally, you also need to ensure that you have the required workforce and resources to overcome technical glitches and buggy components.

When Not to Use Microservices

Jumping onto the bandwagon just because it is the latest industry trend may cause an enterprise to fall prey to Conway’s Law. According to this law, the architectural structures of an app tend to mimic the team’s structure, and not the needs of the end-user. 

Enterprises with large teams often struggle with this because they cannot change the team structure quickly and meet the needs of the new architecture. When individual groups don’t put the needs of the user at the core of what they develop, they fail to build for the required load, scalability and quality of service.

How to Deploy Microservices in Java

Want to move your monolith architecture to microservices for Java software development? You have two options! You can start from scratch with the Big Bang Method or use the Strangler Pattern.

Big Bang: 

This approach not only takes longer to recreate an existing app, but also comes with uncertainty and risk. Many enterprises have failed in deploying microservices with a blank slate - it is because the Big Bang approach calls for a total restructuring of your operations and team. 

Plus, with this approach, you cannot use the new system until it is completed. Meanwhile, the legacy app is also neglected. So, unless and until you are confident of your team’s agility and ability, this approach is not recommended.

Strangler Pattern:

It is a popular and preferred choice for deploying microservices in Java. It involves a step-by-step replacement of a program’s functionality. Once a new feature is designed, it is ready to use and the old component is strangled. And it is the most recommended route because it delivers value faster and can be executed efficiently with a strategic approach.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Microservices

Advantages:

• Concentrates on a single capability
• Flexibility to use different technologies
• Small and manageable attack surface
• Compatible with independent deployable units
• Microservices are scalable and secure
• Deployment is faster and easy

Disadvantages:

• Coordination between teams can get challenging
• Can invite troubleshooting issues
• Increases the effort required to configure
• Tracking data across services is difficult
• Increases complexity in the development culture
• Requires the use of DevOps tools

Best Deployment Tools

Making a move from monolithic to microservices is way faster and more comfortable with the right tools in your arsenal. The biggest challenge facing microservice developers is identifying which tools best fit their development needs. Here are four popular deployment tools that not only fulfill your needs but also ensure long-term support and stability!

1. Micronaut: Micronaut is ideal for building serverless apps and modular microservices. This open-source framework offers extraordinary benefits in comparison to other frameworks. With low memory consumption, quick and easy testing & sub-second start-up time, it is fully optimized for developer productivity
2. Kubernetes: Designed by Google, this open-source system is configured to manage, automate and scale deployments for container-based solutions. With the right set of features and app support, it can reduce your cost and improve productivity. 
3. Prometheus: It is developed to monitor open-source systems. And, this toolkit can efficiently accommodate multi-container environments. Prometheus is perfect for microservices-based Java development. With a rich query language, it can easily manage higher cardinality metrics and makes for a comprehensive monitoring system. 
4. Docker: Docker is the go-to tool for most developers moving their apps to microservices. It relies on isolated software bundles, containers, config files and databases. You can choose between a free and paid version. The portable and lightweight containers of Docker accelerate the pace of development, app deployment, and software delivery.

Real-world examples of enterprises leveraging Java technologies within their microservices

• Netflix
• DoorDash 
• eBay 
• Spotify 
• Lyft 
• Uber

Microservices being polyglot in nature, most enterprises prefer to use multiple programming languages for app development. 

Factors to Consider For a Successful Transition 

Using microservices for Java application development has many benefits. But, that does not mean it is the best choice for every enterprise. While microservices speed-up and streamline development, other aspects like your team and infrastructure can get complicated. So, it is essential to take stock of your existing apps and operations to determine if the transition is worth your time, investment, and effort. Ideally, microservices make perfect sense if your team has the experience and looking for long-term results.