Domain-Driven Refactoring: Hands-on techniques for transforming monolithic systems into microservices
Author: Alessandro Ghidini & Alberto Brandolini Year: 2025 Genre: Software Architecture
About This Book
Domain-Driven Refactoring provides practical techniques for transforming monolithic systems into microservices using domain-driven design principles. Alessandro Ghidini and Alberto Brandolini guide readers through hands-on approaches to recognise system boundaries, apply strategic patterns, and refactor complex codebases efficiently.
Key Insights
- Find seams with domain thinking: Use events, workflows, and language to discover natural boundaries.
- Carve out capabilities incrementally: Strangle the monolith via thin slices and anti‑corruption layers.
- Keep invariants local: Design aggregates to protect core rules while allowing eventual consistency across services.
- Let events lead integration: Prefer event‑driven interactions to reduce coupling and enable autonomy.
- Test contracts, not just units: Consumer‑driven contracts and end‑to‑end traces keep refactors safe.
Why I Recommend It
It’s DDD with sleeves rolled up—precise methods to untangle monoliths without heroics. The patterns help you move fast safely, aligning architecture with the business one slice at a time.
Ideal for teams modernising systems while shipping features under real constraints.
Key Highlights
- Practical Focus: Real-world examples and hands-on techniques
- Legacy System Modernization: Specific guidance for transforming existing monoliths
- Event-Driven Design: Exploration of event-driven architectures for system decoupling
- Testing Integration: Strategies for maintaining architectural integrity through testing
- Team Leadership: Guidance for architects and team leads on guiding architectural transitions
Who Should Read This
- Software architects designing microservices systems
- Backend developers working with complex domains
- Team leads guiding architectural transitions
- Developers dealing with legacy system modernization
- Anyone interested in practical DDD implementation
“A must-read for professionals navigating the challenges of domain complexity and architectural evolution.” - Amazon Review