Microservices, Containerization and Virtualization

Microservices: This is an architectural approach where an application is broken down into small, independent services that each handle a specific function. Instead of one large application, you have multiple small services that work together, which makes the application more modular and easier to manage.

Containerization: This is a method for packaging microservices. Each microservice runs in its container, which is like a lightweight, portable box. Containers include everything the service needs to run, such as libraries and dependencies. This makes it easier to deploy and scale each service independently, as containers are isolated and can be moved between different environments without compatibility issues.

Virtualization: Virtualization involves creating multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server. Each VM operates as if it’s a separate computer with its operating system and resources. While virtualization is effective for managing server resources and running multiple applications, it can be heavier on resources compared to containerization because each VM includes a full operating system.

In summary, while microservices break down an application into smaller pieces, containerization packages these pieces into isolated units for easier management and deployment. Virtualization, on the other hand, provides a way to run multiple isolated environments on a single physical server, though it's generally more resource-intensive than containerization.