What are microservices in Azure DevOps? Maybe it's not as complicated as you think

You stare at the code base on your screen and it suddenly feels like an ever-expanding monster. Every time a small function was changed, the entire system had to be redeployed, and the tests were endless. Someone in the team began to complain: "This speed is slower than the rotation of an old-fashioned servo."

Yes, the traditional monolithic architecture is sometimes like a cumbersome machine - every gear is connected together, and if one part is moved, the entire machine must be adjusted accordingly.

But what if we split the system into many independent small modules? Let each module control its own operation like a servo motor and only communicate with the outside world through a clear interface? This is the core idea of ​​microservices.

What role does Azure DevOps play in this?

Imagine that you have several small servos in your hand, each responsible for different mechanical actions. You need a central console that can monitor their status, schedule tasks, and ensure smooth collaboration. Azure DevOps is that console.

It is not a separate tool, but a complete set of service combinations: from code hosting (Repos), continuous integration/deployment (Pipelines), work item tracking (Boards) to test management (Test Plans). When you adopt a microservices architecture, each small service can have its own code base, build process, and release pipeline—all visually managed within the same platform.

Someone may ask: "Isn't this just repeating the same process many times?"

In fact, it is not repetition, but refinement. Where before you had to write a huge maintenance manual for a big machine, now you write lightweight, customized instructions for each small module. Which module needs to be updated, only that module needs to be updated, and other parts will run as usual.

Why is this easier?

Just like when repairing a complex piece of machinery, you don't need to take the entire device apart every time. You can adjust the parameters of a servo motor individually, or replace a transmission component, while other functions remain normal. In the software world, this means faster release frequency, less system risk, and the ability for teams to develop different modules in parallel instead of waiting for each other.

The pipeline design of Azure DevOps makes this independent deployment intuitive. You can configure a dedicated pipeline for each microservice and set automated testing and deployment conditions. When a service code is updated, its own pipeline is triggered, and other services are not affected.

Moreover, all this can be done very "lightly" - no deep infrastructure knowledge is required, and you can get started through visual editing and templates.

But will microservices bring new troubles?

Of course it will. With so many services, coordination becomes a challenge. Network communication, data consistency, and monitoring complexity will all increase. This is like using too many different types of servos in a machine. If the interfaces are not unified and the logs are not clear, troubleshooting will be like trying to find the exit in a maze.

Fortunately, Azure DevOps provides a tool chain to deal with these:

• Track the work progress and dependencies of each service through Boards;
• Use Pipelines to unify build and deployment specifications;
• Integrated monitoring and logging tools make the health status of each service clear at a glance.

The key is not to pursue "all microservices", but to find the splitting granularity that suits your business scenario. Sometimes, a few coarse-grained services may be more practical than dozens of fine-grained services.

Talk about actual feelings

We tried to use this idea to improve the development process of a mechanical control software. Originally, every release was like a marathon, and the testing team was under great pressure. Later, we separated the motion control module, status monitoring module, and user interface module and deployed them independently.

The changes are visible: feature updates have gone from once a month to two or three times a week, and because the scope of the changes has been reduced, rollbacks are much easier. The team is more daring to try new ideas - anyway, if one module is changed, the entire system will not be brought down.

Azure DevOps is like an inclusive scheduling center here. It does not force you to use any technical architecture, but provides a set of tools that allow you to manage microservices at your own pace. You don't have to change everything at once. You can start experimenting with the pipeline from one service and slowly expand it to other modules.

In the final analysis, the embodiment of microservices in Azure DevOps is not a profound technical concept, but a more flexible and controllable software development method. It changes the release from a "major ceremony" to a "daily operation", allowing the team to focus more on the part of the "mechanical structure" they are responsible for.

If you are also looking for ways to make the development process smoother, maybe you can start here: Don't think about the lofty word "microservice", but ask yourself - is there any part of our system that can be like an independent steering wheel, letting it turn on its own first?

Established in 2005,kpowerhas been dedicated to a professional compact motion unit manufacturer, headquartered in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China. Leveraging innovations in modular drive technology,kpowerintegrates high-performance motors, precision reducers, and multi-protocol control systems to provide efficient and customized smart drive system solutions.kpowerhas delivered professional drive system solutions to over 500 enterprise clients globally with products covering various fields such as Smart Home Systems, Automatic Electronics, Robotics, Precision Agriculture, Drones, and Industrial Automation.