Migration

The process of moving data, applications, or other business elements from one environment to another.

Migration in computing refers to the process of moving data, applications, or infrastructure from one environment, platform, or technology to another. This can include database migrations (changing schema or moving data between database systems), cloud migrations (moving workloads from on-premises to the cloud or between cloud providers), and application migrations (rewriting or replatforming applications).

Successful migrations require careful planning, including data mapping, compatibility testing, rollback strategies, and parallel running periods. Schema migrations in databases are typically managed through migration scripts that apply incremental changes and can be versioned alongside application code.

In the API context, migration often involves transitioning from one API gateway to another, upgrading API versions, or moving backend services between hosting platforms. API gateways facilitate migrations by providing a stable external interface. Traffic can be gradually shifted from old to new backend implementations using percentage-based routing or canary deployments, allowing teams to validate the new system before completing the migration.