Back in 2018, Manning published Chris Richardson‘s Microservices Patterns book. In many respects, this book is the microservices version of the famous Gang of Four patterns book. The exciting news is that Chris is working on a second edition.

One key difference between the GoF book and this is that engaging with patterns like Inversion of Control, Factories, and so on isn’t impacted by considerations around architecture, organization, and culture.

While the foundational ideas of microservices are established, the techniques for designing and deploying have continued to evolve and mature. If you follow Chris through social media, you’ll know he has, in the years since the book’s first edition, worked with numerous organisations, training and helping them engage effectively with microservices. As a result, a lot of processes and techniques that Chris has identified and developed with customers are grounded in real practical experience.

As the book is in its early access phase (MEAP), not all chapters are available yet, so plenty to look forward to.

So even if you have the 1st edition and work with microservice patterns, the updates will, I think, offer insights that could pay dividends.

If you’re starting your software career or considering the adoption of microservices (and Chris will tell you it isn’t always the right answer), I highly recommend getting a copy, as with the 1st edition, the 2nd will become a must-read book.