Monolith vs Microservices Overview

Study Notes

Monolith vs Microservices

Monolith: A single, large application that runs on one or more machines. It's a cohesive unit with all the functionalities packed together.
Microservices: Small, independent applications that perform specific functionalities. Each microservice has its own database and interacts through APIs.

Advantages of a Monolith

Easier to scale: Monoliths can handle a lot of workload by adding more machines.
Good for small teams: For smaller teams, a Monolith makes development simpler as they don't need to break down the system into smaller parts.
Easier deployments: Deployments are simpler as everything is within one unit.
Reduces code duplication: Shared setup, test, and connection code is reusable.
Faster performance: Local function calls reduce network overhead.

Disadvantages of a Monolith

Hard to onboard new members: New developers need to understand the entire system.
Complex deployments: Any code change requires a full deployment, creating frequent deployments with the need for constant monitoring.
Difficult to test: The monolithic nature makes it challenging to test individual components.
Single point of failure: A failure in the system impacts the entire application.

Advantages of Microservices

Scalability: Easier to scale by adding resources to specific services needing extra capacity.
Easier onboarding for new developers: New team members can focus on specific services and understand their functionality.
Parallel development: Independent services allow developers to work in parallel with minimal dependency on each other.
Visibility and easier debugging: Easier to identify and isolate issues due to the modularity of services.

Disadvantages of Microservices

More complex design: Requires a skilled architect to design a well-structured and efficient microservice architecture.
Potential for over-partitioning: Overdoing the splitting of services can create unnecessary complexity and communication overhead.

Which to Choose?

Monoliths: Best for small projects or teams where maintainability and rapid development are crucial.
Microservices: Suitable for large, complex systems that require scalability, flexibility, and independent services.

Monolith Architecture

A single, large application composed of all functionalities
All components run together on one or more machines
Benefits include easier scaling for a large workload and easier onboarding for smaller development teams
Drawbacks include difficulties in onboarding new members and complex deployments

Microservices Architecture

Independently deployed applications with specific functionalities
Each service has a dedicated database and interacts with other services through APIs
Benefits include better scalability, parallel development, easier debugging, and efficient onboarding for new developers
Disadvantages include more complex design, increased communication overhead, potential for over-partitioning

Choosing Between Monoliths and Microservices

Monoliths are more suitable for small projects with smaller development teams where maintainability & rapid development are priorities
Microservices are generally preferred for larger, complex projects that require scalability, flexibility, and independent services

Description

Explore the differences between monolithic and microservices architectures in software development. This quiz covers the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, helping you understand which may be more suitable for different scenarios.