How to Use Microservices To Evolve DevOps Pipelines

The microservice architectural style creates a wealth of opportunities for development teams to evolve their DevOps pipelines. Microservices make it practical to break apart larger applications so work pipelines focus on smaller, independently operating services instead of the entire application at once.

DevOps teams can work in broken-out repositories for each microservice instead of needing to stick with the larger workflow. In short, microservice updates work independently of the entire application.

It’s time to split up

Whether you’re building a new application or retrofitting an existing application, your DevOps teams will need to either design with several microservices in mind from the ground up or break up a monolithic application into smaller, independent segments. Structure microservices so they function independently of each other. The microservices communicate with each other to exchange information but don’t overlap in actual work. Containerize each microservice and avoid using shared libraries you will be modifying.

Saving time with relationship mapping

The microservice architectural style untangles services from the entire application, which substantially simplifies the process for relationship mapping. Relationship mapping updates stay contained within the microservice instead of affecting the relationships between microservices. When you’re working with containerized code, you won’t need to worry about an update changing how a different microservice works or breaking the larger application.

Managing reusable code — don’t repeat yourself

Microservices make it easier to manage relevant code, which means it’s easier to keep track of what already exists. Improved code management can be a significant boost to your building processes because it’s easier to build reusable code when you’re only concerned with the immediate microservice instead of the entire application. When you’re working with less code, it's much easier to keep track of what’s already done, so you can avoid repeating code. Reusable, nonrepeated code is faster to update, which will help streamline the pipeline.

Deployment and versioning perks

Microservices can significantly evolve the deployment part of a DevOps pipeline. DevOps teams can stay focused on updates within the microservice instead of being distracted by those concerning the application as a whole. This makes them easier to keep track of and eliminates the need to wait on other parts of the application to update. Fixes and enhancements come faster with microservices. It’s much easier to manage versions with microservices because each microservice has independent versioning. This model is easier to manage and requires less work if you need to revert to an older version because you only need to revert the microservice.

Adopting microservices goes hand-in-hand with evolving DevOps pipelines. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when working with microservices is to stick with the same old pipelines. Take advantage of the new opportunities for a better workflow with microservices.