Micro-service architecture is exactly as it sounds, the application is split up into many smaller services rather than a huge monolithic approach used previously. This allows software developers to release and maintain each micro-service individually which reduces complexity of the software as a whole. It also allows us to release fixes quickly with minimal downtime as only the micro-service in question needs to be fixed rather than the whole application.

Micro-service architecture has been well embraced by software as a service companies. Companies such as Netflix and Uber both use micro-services for their applications. Netflix, for example, has over 600 micro-services in production and makes hundreds of deployments a day. This allows them to keep their service up and running while deploying fixes and updates.

Here at Cubic Interactive we are embracing the micro-service infrastructure for our new developments. Gekko already employs micro-services for much of its functionality. Developer Will Blackburn has been at the forefront of embracing micro-services, championing their use in the Gekko product. Rapport NG has also taken on the mantra of micro-services and will release using the micro-service infrastructure at its core.