Pros and Cons of Monolithic Architecture

Introduction

Monolithic architecture is a software development pattern where an application is built as a single, autonomous unit. It’s a default style for many enterprise level applications. While it has its benefits, it also comes with drawbacks. In this blog post, we will explore both sides of the monolithic architecture coin.

Pros of Monolithic Architecture

Let’s consider some of the advantages of this approach to software development.

• Simple to develop: Since all the processes and tasks are interwoven and managed under one umbrella, the development process becomes streamlined and comparatively straightforward.
• Easy to test: Automated testing can be easier as well because you are dealing with a single application, rather than multiple services.
• Efficient communication: Communication between components is faster because they are all on the same system and can share memory.
• Simplified deployment: Deployment is simple as there is just one application to handle and manage.

Cons of Monolithic Architecture

Despite the benefits, there are also some potential pitfalls associated with monolithic architecture.

• Scalability issues: Since everything is interconnected, any small change in code can have a substantial effect on the system, thus presenting scalability issues.
• Limited flexibility: Due to its tightly-coupled nature, implementing new technology or frameworks into a part of a monolithic application can be challenging.
• Slow start time: As the application grows, the start-up time of the application can increase significantly. This leads to more customer latency and impacts user experience.
• Large and complex codebase: As the application grows, the codebase becomes more extensive and difficult to manage. Over time, understanding the codebase can be a daunting task.

Conclusion

To decide whether or not to choose monolithic architecture you have to consider the requirement, size, and resources of your project. It is substantial for small projects but may not work well for large, complex applications. In any case, understanding the pros and cons of monolithic architecture can help developers make informed decisions and create efficient, robust software.