microdrippets

Microdrippets are tiny, self-contained software units designed to perform a single, well-defined task within a larger software system. They occupy a position between traditional code snippets and full microservices, offering reusability and composability without the overhead of a larger service. A microdrippet typically includes the executable code, a minimal runtime, and a manifest that describes its interface, resource needs, and version.

Design and packaging: Microdrippets are packaged with a compact descriptor (often JSON or YAML) that specifies inputs, outputs, compatible environments, and dependencies. They are intended to be stateless and idempotent, running in sandboxed environments such as WebAssembly runtimes, lightweight containers, or restricted virtual machines. They are registered in a microdrippet registry or catalog, enabling discovery, versioning, and access control by an orchestrator or runtime engine.

Interfaces and execution: Each microdrippet exposes a defined contract for input and output data, typically using structured payloads like JSON. They can be invoked synchronously within a workflow or asynchronously as events. Execution is managed by an orchestrator that handles sequencing, retries, logging, and materializing results, while isolating the microdrippet from other components to minimize side effects.

Applications and limitations: Microdrippets are used to rapidly assemble data processing pipelines, automation tasks, and edge-computing workflows. They support rapid prototyping and incremental software evolution. Potential limitations include orchestration overhead, dependency drift, and security considerations from running many small units in a shared runtime. Best practices emphasize clear interface contracts, minimal side effects, and robust versioning.

See also: microservice, serverless computing, function as a service, plugin architecture, code snippet, WebAssembly.