EP121: 9 Essential Components of a Production Microservice Application

This week’s system design interview:

• Linux Crash Course - Understanding File Permissions (Youtube video)

• 9 Essential Components of a Production Microservice Application

• Iterative, Agile, Waterfall, Spiral Model, RAD Model... What are the differences?

• Design Patterns Cheat Sheet - Part 1 and Part 2

• SPONSOR US

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Linux Crash Course - Understanding File Permissions

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9 Essential Components of a Production Microservice Application

1. API Gateway
   The gateway provides a unified entry point for client applications. It handles routing, filtering, and load balancing.
   

2. Service Registry
   The service registry contains the details of all the services. The gateway discovers the service using the registry. For example, Consul, Eureka, Zookeeper, etc.
   

3. Service Layer
   Each microservices serves a specific business function and can run on multiple instances. These services can be built using frameworks like Spring Boot, NestJS, etc.
   

4. Authorization Server
   Used to secure the microservices and manage identity and access control. Tools like Keycloak, Azure AD, and Okta can help over here.
   

5. Data Storage
   Databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL can store application data generated by the services.
   

6. Distributed Caching
   Caching is a great approach for boosting the application performance. Options include caching solutions like Redis, Couchbase, Memcached, etc.
   

7. Async Microservices Communication
   Use platforms such as Kafka and RabbitMQ to support async communication between microservices.
   

8. Metrics Visualization
   Microservices can be configured to publish metrics to Prometheus and tools like Grafana can help visualize the metrics.
   

9. Log Aggregation and Visualization
   Logs generated by the services are aggregated using Logstash, stored in Elasticsearch, and visualized with Kibana.
   

Over to you: What else would you add to your production microservice architecture?

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Iterative, Agile, Waterfall, Spiral Model, RAD Model... What are the differences?

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a framework that outlines the process of developing software in a systematic way. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Waterfall Model:
   - A linear and sequential approach.
   - Divides the project into distinct phases: Requirements, Design, Implementation, Verification, and Maintenance.
   

2. Agile Model:
   - Development is done in small, manageable increments called sprints.
   - Common Agile methodologies include Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP).
   

3. V-Model (Validation and Verification Model):
   - An extension of the Waterfall model.
   - Each development phase is associated with a testing phase, forming a V shape.
   

4. Iterative Model:
   - Focuses on building a system incrementally.
   - Each iteration builds upon the previous one until the final product is achieved.
   

5. Spiral Model:
   - Combines iterative development with systematic aspects of the Waterfall model.
   - Each cycle involves planning, risk analysis, engineering, and evaluation.
   

6. Big Bang Model:
   - All coding is done with minimal planning, and the entire software is integrated and tested at once.
   

7. RAD Model (Rapid Application Development):
   - Emphasizes rapid prototyping and quick feedback.
   - Focuses on quick development and delivery.
   

8. Incremental Model:
   - The product is designed, implemented, and tested incrementally until the product is finished.

Each of these models has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which to use often depends on the specific requirements and constraints of the project at hand.

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Design Patterns Cheat Sheet - Part 1 and Part 2

The cheat sheet briefly explains each pattern and how to use it.

What's included?

• Factory

• Builder

• Prototype

• Singleton

• Chain of Responsibility

• And many more!

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