Self-contained system (software)
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In computing, self-contained system (SCS) is a software architecture approach that focuses on a separation of the functionality into many independent systems, making the complete logical system a collaboration of many smaller software systems.[1]
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Self-contained system characteristics
SCSs have certain characteristics:
- Each SCS is an autonomous web application.
- Each SCS is owned by one team.
- Communication with other SCSs or third-party systems is asynchronous wherever possible.
- An SCS can have an optional service API.
- Each SCS must include data and logic.
- An SCS should make its features usable to end-users by its own UI.
- To avoid tight coupling an SCS should share no business code with other SCSs.
- Shared infrastructure should be reduced to increase availability and decrease coupling.
Implementations[2] create larger systems using this approach – in particular web applications. There are many case studies[3] and further links available.[4]
Self-contained systems and microservices
While self-contained systems are similar to microservices there are differences: A system will usually contain fewer SCS than microservices. Also microservices can communicate with other microservices – even synchronously. SCS prefer no communication or asynchronous communication. Microservices might also have a separate UI unlike the SCS that include a UI.[5]
Self-contained systems and Vertical Slice Architecture
Self-contained systems and vertical slice architecture have similarities but also decisive differences. Both approaches divide a system into smaller, manageable units. Vertical slices are cut on the basis of features, Self-contained systems along the boundaries of functional domains. They also differ in the strictness with which they attempt to encapsulate and isolate specialized logic.[6]
Usage
There are quite a few known usages of SCS – e.g. at Otto,[7] Galeria Kaufhof,[8] and Kühne+Nagel.[9]
References
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