Cloud-native applications are designed to run exclusively in the cloud and utilize its resources to provide flexibility and scalability. Typically, these are based on a microservices architecture involving many small, independent components that can be developed independently or scaled differently. Containers also form part of the packaging application, basically packaging everything needed for an app to be executed with ease. Tools like Kubernetes are relied upon to manage these applications effectively. In simple words, they are cloud-optimized for business so as to quickly scale, update easily, and maintain a high-performance level.
The key characteristics of cloud-native applications in brief:
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Built for the Cloud: Designed to run efficiently in cloud environments, taking full advantage of cloud services.
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Microservices Architecture: Composed of small, independent services that can be developed, deployed, and scaled separately.
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Containerization: Uses containers to package and run apps in isolated environments for easy deployment and scaling.
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Scalability: Easily scales up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal performance.
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Resilience and Agility: Designed for high availability and quick recovery, with fast updates and continuous delivery.