How Good is Node.js for Developing Apps Based on Microservices?
- Web
- September 2, 2019
In the evolving business environment, app developers enjoy several tangible benefits, while integrating microservices in the app development process.
The project workflow gets a boost, when you connect Node.js to microservices. In this article, you will come to know how compatible Node.js is, when it comes to app development on microservices.
Developers across the world are aware of the potential that Node.js holds. Presently, eBay and AliExpress are using Node.js as the primary backend language. At the outset, you need a clear understanding of Node.js and microservices.
Node.js
Node.js is an open source, cross platform environment and runtime library implemented to run applications written in JavaScript beyond browser. It is neither a programming language, nor a framework.
Developers primarily use Node.js in backend services like Web Apps, Mobile apps and other APIs. Large companies like Uber, PayPal, Wallmart and Netflix have been using this runtime environment in production.
Read also: The Positive and Negative Aspects of Node.js Web App Development
Microservices
Microservices, on the other hand, refer to a software design pattern. This pattern can disintegrate large application into a collection of simpler and smaller applications. These applications are testable, maintainable and deployable individually.
Besides, they are loosely coupled and organized around specific business aptitudes. Therefore, it can be perceived as a business oriented way to develop software.
Importance of Microservices to App Developers
The problem
In most software projects, the developers aim at resolving a single problem at the outset. When another problem crops up, the engineering team tries to address it too. The size of the project keeps growing, without all the problems being coped up with.
This is when monoliths are developed. The existing application gets new features, which increase the overall complexity. Gradually, developers find it hard to scale the project and the resources are wasted.
The reason is, they need to scale every feature at the same time. Every time, the developers need to change several lines of code, which makes the process difficult.
A time comes when the developers find it impossible to handle minute changes. Adding new features becomes a nightmare, and the product turns obsolete.
The solution
Microservices aim to address this problem of software development. A software in a microservice based architecture, can be developed from several smaller components. These parts work together, although the developers can build them up separately.
Besides, they can use any language to implement them. This indicates that the developers can freely use any technology, and they are not limited to any specific one.
Properly implemented, a microservice could be so small, that a small team can get it rewritten in two weeks. In case the performance seems to be poor, it won’t take long to get the service replaced.
This leads to a significant decrement in the development risks, and the costs related to the infrastructure operation. Eventually, business firms need to spend less for better performance.
Read also: Microservices Architecture: How Does it Benefit Mobile App Development?
The Match Between Microservices and Node.js
Microservices share a compatible connection with Node.js. It should be noted that the core motive to develop Node was to ease up the app development process on microservices.
Therefore, the connection is clear, as the runtime environment enjoys a perfect match with the software design pattern. The idea is that several small nodes, that remain distributed, are to be used while developing Node apps. As the application works, these nodes communicate with each other.
Evidently, both large enterprises and startups are using Node.js for microservices based apps in the last few years. It appears that developers are happy using Node and the popularity is evident from their increased productivity.
Key Benefits of Using Microservices
Developers understand that it is not always technology that matters while they build an app. Some developers consider the business rationale to be of greater importance, as compared to the technical features available.
Integrating microservices into the app development process streamlines it significantly. Here, you will come to know about the tangible benefits that microservices offer to the developers.
Better structure
In a well-structured app, understanding the features becomes easier. This implies that the developers have to design and implement these features accordingly.
Microservices come handy, while designing these apps, giving them a better structure. Practically thinking, it requires less time and money in business analysis. Therefore, business firms can spend the funds on the development process itself.
Seamless development
At times, developers find conceptualizing, building and maintaining complex applications very difficult. Using microservices, they can fragment them up into smaller bits. In the process, the task turns out to be more manageable and simplified.
Greater scalability
Unlike monolithic apps that are developed in the legacy paradigm, microservices offer a greater degree of scalability. Developers encounter tough situations, trying to scale them, as the process is time consuming indeed.
They need to find out the situation inside, that takes a lot of effort. Microservices make the process simpler and enhances the scalability of the projects.
Fewer errors
Using microservices can eventually bring down the number of errors. In this context, microservices resemble sentences, technologies of bite-size that one can keep free from errors.
Therefore, fixing bugs become a chore simpler and less time consuming. Presently, developers are exploring the benefits of integrating microservices and Node.js during app development.
Better performance
Each microservice is entrusted with a single task. The developers can optimize and tune them seamlessly. The microservices serve the purpose that the knife does to a chef. In a competitive business environment, the performance of the app goes a long way in establishing the competence of a business.
Benefits of Integrating Node.js and Microservices
In terms of business value, one can evaluate the benefits of integrating Node.js and microservices together in the app development process. Microservice oriented apps that are developed in Node.js have a wide range of benefits to deliver.
Simplified workflow development
The developers do not have to interfere with each other’s tasks, when the workflow development gets simplified. They simply work on the respective parts of the app being developed.
In case a monolith is used in the app development process, this problem turns out to be a hurdle. The strength of Node.js lies in the fact, that it can streamline the workflow process.
As several small parts make up big apps, the developers can individually work on the smaller ones, rather than encountering the issue as a whole.
Increased productivity
Node.js has a package manager, which comes with several modules, capable of being used instantly by the developers. This saves them a lot of effort during the app development process.
Besides, applications in Node.js are written in JavaScript. This makes it easily understandable for the frontend developers to realize what is going on. Accordingly, they make the required changes in the apps.
A single language can be used in the entire stack. Besides, the developers can use the same modules in the backend as well as frontend. This helps them save an incredible amount of time, leveraging productivity in the process.
Easier updates and maintenance
Carrying out maintenance activities turn out to be simpler, as no complicated monolithic code comes in the way. Therefore, the developers can seamlessly write a new feature in the app.
Even when they carry out updates, they can enhance the system in an incremental way, rather than investing in a massive cost to rewrite. This approach is promoted by the node activity, as the application gets a service oriented and modular structure.
Replication of data
Data replication is needed for microservices that go well with Node.js. Besides, developers can benefit from NoSQL databases.
This is actually an alternative approach to the tabular, traditional model of maintaining databases. Using Node.js, the developers can optimize the advantages of this feature. It is often available for free in the market.
Reliability and Performance of Apps
Operating on a digitized landscape calls for the development of robust applications. The reliability and performance of these apps largely depend on the ability of the developing team.
Using Node.js, developers can come up with powerful apps, that live up to the aspirations in terms of performance and reliability. Besides, they can infinitely scale the apps, and the process does not get messy.
As long as the budget permits, the developers can upscale or downscale the features, as required. In this context, you should focus on single-threaded asynchronous architecture, a feature that developers can enjoy using Node.
Presently, Node.js is the best solution to get web applications, which work in real time. These apps are known for their high performance, due to the event-driven and non-blocking I/O model.
Along with a microservice oriented application, Node can handle a massive amount of load, particular during times of low response. On integrating Node and microservices seamlessly, only 10% of the hardware is required to deal with the load.
The popularity of Node.js is evident from the figures. The Node Foundation reveals that around 3.5 million users are presently developing apps using node, and the growth rate is 100%.
Developers are able to come up with the apps, loaded with customized features quite faster on this environment. Apparently, developers love Node.js for developing apps using microservices.
The next generation of developers is likely to rely on this platform largely while developing solutions. Particularly, developers who are not willing to work on languages like #C that are statically typed can benefit from this environment.
To Conclude
Now you can understand why Node.js works best with microservices. This is the reason developers love to work in such an environment.
With microservices, they can enjoy several benefits like ease of updates and development, cost control and hassle-free scaling. Particularly, under high traffic conditions, microservices and Node.js work in a perfect sync.
Innovative enterprises are already using this tactical combination of microservices and Node.js. They have been able to achieve an increment in productivity, while minimizing costs and achieving high performance. Developers are happy using Node.js for applications based on microservices.
