Which of the following best describes a microservice?

A microservice is best described as a small, loosely coupled service that communicates over a network. This definition highlights several key characteristics of microservices architecture.

First, microservices are designed to be small in scope, focusing on a single responsibility or functionality within a larger application. This allows teams to develop, test, and deploy services independently, facilitating quicker iterations and improvements.

Second, the term "loosely coupled" emphasizes that microservices can be developed and maintained with minimal dependency on one another. This loose coupling allows for flexible design and changes in one service without necessitating alterations in others, promoting scalability and resilience within an application's architecture.

Finally, microservices communicate over a network, typically using lightweight protocols like HTTP/REST or messaging queues. This communication method supports interoperability among diverse technologies and platforms, making it easier to integrate various services into a cohesive application.

In contrast, a large standalone application refers to a monolithic architecture where all components are tightly integrated, which contradicts the characteristics of microservices. Similarly, a tightly coupled system suggests strong interdependencies between parts, making changes and updates cumbersome, which again differs from the microservices paradigm. Lastly, describing a method lacking any framework does not capture the essence of microservices, as they are often built