Microservices architectures should follow a polytree structure—a directed acyclic graph where the underlying undirected graph forms a tree. This constraint prevents circular dependencies (both directed and undirected cycles) that cause delocalized state, cascading failures, and debugging nightmares. A polytree enforces clear ownership, predictable failure modes, and independent service evolution. The mathematical properties of polytrees (no cycles, unique paths, guaranteed termination) translate directly into operational clarity and system maintainability.
Sort: