What is a microservice in programming?

Don’t let software get stuck: How microservices make projects come alive

I don’t know if you have ever encountered this situation: a software system runs very fast at first, but as functions are added, it suddenly becomes unwieldy. Changing a small place affects the whole body, and it feels like a long nightmare from testing to going online. The team's efficiency is low, customers are impatient, and the sense of frustration is really a headache.

Behind this, there is often a huge and entangled "monolithic architecture" at work. Packing all the code together is like welding all the tool parts into an iron box. If you want to change a screw, you have to dismantle the entire box.

What to do? Many teams have begun to try an architectural idea called "microservices". This may sound a bit technical, but at its core, the idea is simple: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Take apart the big iron box and turn it into independent small tool boxes. Each toolbox is only responsible for one specific thing, such as user management, order processing, and payment process. They "dialogue" through clear interfaces, develop and deploy independently without interfering with each other.

Why does this solve the problem?

Picture a repair shop. In the past, there was only one all-around technician who could do everything, but would queue up when there were too many tasks. Now, you have a master who specializes in engine tuning, a team specializing in electrical circuits, and craftsmen who are proficient in casing sheet metal. They can start working at the same time, and if a certain link needs to upgrade tools, it will not affect other work stations. This is the concurrent development and independent deployment capabilities brought by microservices, which greatly speeds up project iteration.

More important is resilience. In a monolithic architecture, a bug in a small, non-core function may cause the entire system to collapse. In the microservice architecture, if a certain service (such as the "send notification" service) fails, it will usually be isolated and will not paralyze the entire application. The system is like having multiple safety chambers. If one leaks, the ship can still sail.

forkpowerThis flexibility is particularly valuable for a team that is deeply involved in the fields of servo motors, steering gears and mechanical integration. Our projects are often deeply coupled with hardware and software, requiring frequent adjustments to control logic or to match mechanical motion. Microservices allow us to separate core motion control services, device communication services, and data monitoring services. When the response curve of a certain motor is needed, we only need to update the corresponding control service without disturbing the entire huge system, which makes on-site debugging and customer customization extremely agile.

So is it a panacea? How to choose?

Of course not. Microservices introduce new complexity: If there are too many services, how to manage the communication between them? How to keep data consistent? How to quickly locate a problem? It's like managing a large team of experts, where rules of communication and collaboration become crucial. You need reliable "communication protocols" (such as APIs), clear "monitoring boards" and effective "coordination mechanisms".

So, when deciding whether to adopt it, you can ask yourself a few questions:

• Is your application really complex enough, with clear functions between modules?
• Is your team capable of managing the development and operation of distributed systems?
• Does the project require different modules to be able to scale independently? For example, when the number of visits increases sharply, you only need to add instances of the user browsing service without having to expand the entire system.

For the industrial scenarios we are involved in, if it is a relatively simple and stable equipment control program, forcibly splitting it may be overkill. But if it is a comprehensive management platform that needs to connect multiple devices, handle complex workflows, and requires continuous iterative upgrades, the microservice architecture can significantly release productivity.

Let the architecture serve people rather than constrain them

After all, technical architecture is a tool after all. The core advantage of microservices is that it makes the software structure closer to the division of labor and collaboration in our real world. Each service focuses on one thing, so the team can be more focused; the system boundaries are clear, making it easier for newcomers to get started; independent deployment means you can deliver certain improvements to customers at any time, without having to wait for major version updates.

existkpowerIn actual projects, this architectural idea helps us deal with challenges more calmly. When a customer proposes a new robotic arm linkage requirement, we can quickly combine or modify existing motion planning services and sensor data processing services to build new functions like building blocks, rather than overturning and rewriting from scratch. This allows innovation and responsiveness to truly keep up with the sophistication of hardware and customer expectations.

A good software architecture should be like a well-designed machine: each component performs its own duties, the interfaces are tightly integrated, and maintenance and upgrades are easy. It should not be "technical debt" that drags down the project, but should be a runway that allows the team to run faster and ideas to be implemented more steadily. Microservices provide a possibility to build this runway. The key lies in whether you have prepared the appropriate "materials" and "construction team". When you find that balance point, you will find that not only the code, but the vitality of the entire project becomes more vigorous.

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, Kpower integrates high-performance motors, precision reducers, and multi-protocol control systems to provide efficient and customized smart drive system solutions. Kpower has 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.