HN Explorer

Ask HN: What are some sources to learn about microservices architecture?

17 points by lostPoncho ↗ HN
I am a noob, learning things on my own. So lately I have been trying to understand how one should go about designing the architecture a non-trivial and fairly large web app and I came across the word micro-services. I tried googling, but that just made me more confused on what the term is. So some examples and explanation would be really helpful.

9 comments

[ 3.2 ms ] story [ 27.9 ms ] thread
nOObieMonster
Mobile so just blurting this out...

typically you build apps as single 'monolithic' apps where all your code is in one place.

or

You split your code by criteria... say 'function'. So maybe seperating UI (front-end) from server/API (backend).

Reason is if you wanted to change part of your app its easier if there are clear boundaries between each part rather than mangled solo entities as with monolithic.

Microservices is an extreme version or seperation of concerns/function whereby you create 'black boxes' that handle one thing (auth, orders, stats, images) - each of those 'services' provides a mechanism for intra-communication... typically via an API (REST). sounds great in theory and makes large apps easier to distribute across tech stacks, geo and developer teams without worrying about other services... but... ensuring all services are secure, share information, self heal (recreate themselves when crashes occur), auto find each other across the interweb (discover) etc etc is a massive P.I.T.A.

Search 'Netflix microservices' on YouTube... reality is never as nice and clean as theory.

Also Orielly and other have books on M.S...

I would say build the monolith first (or simply seperate client from server/API), then split if need... rinse and repeat. Its gonna be real hard going if you're building a multi tenant app for most things and trying to start with M.S

When you need to scale... iterate. if M.S makes sense, split out a function and carry on.

Also check out Docker... sorta encourages M.S approach. Quickly create/destroy and deploy new 'service containers' etc...

Github has some examples too

https://github.com/cer/microservices-examples etc etc

Good luck

lostPoncho
That was a clear explanation. Thanks. :D
chuhnk
Start here https://martinfowler.com/articles/microservices.html

Then look here for patterns http://microservices.io/patterns/microservices.html

This guide is great https://www.nginx.com/blog/introduction-to-microservices/

Finally plugging my own tooling https://micro.mu/

Join http://slack.micro.mu if you want to discuss microservices

lostPoncho
micro.mu really looks interesting.
chuhnk
Thanks, its built based on personal experience and seems to resonate with companies who are undergoing scaling pains.