1 Getting started: Building a microblogging startup
The best way to learn the theory of something is to see that theory put into practice. This book focuses on the theory of the microservices approach to system construction. So let’s get started with a practical example.
We shall design and model a microblogging system [1]. You will see declarative code and diagrams that define the system in a rigorous way. In this book we avoid the particulars of any given microservice platform or tooling. We will use JavaScript for code examples, because that is the language most developers have some knowledge of. You will be able to apply the ideas in this book to your own system whatever language and platform you use.
We will design the initial implementation of a microblogging startup, cut down to the bare functional essentials. We will design down to just above the level of implementation code (the full source is available online). You will start to learn the way of thinking about microservices explored in this book.
1.1 Messages First
How do you design software? How do you design anything? A design is a map that is to be made into reality. A good design, as a map, highlights the important features of that yet-to-be reality, and guides the builder.