Useful for building highly reliable, scalable, secure applications and services within the cloud, Cloud Design Patterns (CDP) are defined by experts in the Cloud Computing industry as “[a] general reusable solution to commonly occurring problems in cloud architecting.” Seemingly a broad definition, it may help to understand that CPDs are multiple, not one-size-fits-all. Considering that CDPs are used to solve “common problems”, it can be said that altogether these patterns are a library of reusable solutions to unique or individual issues that many cloud builders encounter.
In this post, we will discuss CDPs in more detail. Also, in efforts to help with Amazon Web Service architecture, while exploring what design patterns are and how to use them, we will take a look at AWS CDPs and the future of AWS design technologies.
A broad overview of what a CDP entails
Much like laying a tiled floor with care for pattern and design, building cloud applications requires each row (level) to be laid out (coded) perfectly before the next. If the bottom level is unstable, the preceding levels will be unstable too. Just imagine laying a floor without caring about what each tile looked like, it would probably end up quite poorly. When designing a cloud application, an engineer is always carefully watching out for issues. As general issues arise, the engineer looks to solve them reliably and securely with a proven solution. CDPs save time and possible messy outcomes for everyone.
Generally coming in a standard format, here is what you will find in a single Cloud Design Pattern:
- Pattern name and a short description
- Identification of the typical issue and challenges
- An outline of solving the problem in the cloud
- The benefits that come from pattern application
- Any extra notes including advantages, disadvantages, note explanations
- Anything else the architect cares to add
Why use CDPs?
Beyond simply using patterns to boost cloud architecture to easily migrate and rapidly develop highly scalable applications, there are a few other benefits to this library of solutions. Large enterprises, as well as startups, are using CDPs to unlock incredible value on a large scale. Working to ensure 100% repeatable results across the entire lifecycle of a platform and to remove the maintenance of deployed applications, overall patterns of frustration of running a cloud system are reduced while productivity is increased.
On top of system-level benefits, architects experience advantages from CDPs too. Imagine that while you are working on an AWS application, you run into a problem while increasing the efficiency of internet storage. You describe the problem to another architect and she responds, “The storage index pattern will work for that.” Knowing the name of the pattern, you get right to work. This is a language used to easily communicate and fix issues. Having a clear idea of all the cloud applications before beginning any project, with the help of CDPs there is no need to start from scratch when creating a software system.
