What’s Wrong with Traditional Monolithic Architecture?
While monolithic architecture has its benefits, it also comes with several challenges that can hinder scalability, development, and maintenance.
In the ever-evolving world of software development, we encounter various architectural patterns, each with unique benefits and challenges. One of the foundational approaches that have stood the test of time is monolithic architecture. Monolithic architecture is the traditional way of building applications. But what exactly does it entail?
What is Monolithic Architecture? 🧐
In monolithic architecture, all components and functionalities of an application — such as user interface, business logic, and data access — are bundled into a single, cohesive unit. Think of it as a one-stop shop for all your application needs. Everything is built together and deployed on a server in one go. This means that services within the application are tightly integrated. When we deploy this kind of architecture, all components must work together seamlessly.
Most legacy applications we see today were developed using this monolithic approach. Over time, as applications grow and evolve, the monolithic structure can present significant challenges.
While monolithic architecture might seem like a step back in today’s microservices-driven world, it can still be the best option for specific use cases, especially when strong consistency is required.
Characteristics of Monolithic Architecture 📜
Let’s dive into the key characteristics of monolithic architecture:
- Single Codebase: All code resides in a single repository. This simplicity makes it easier to manage and deploy initially. However, there is no separation between different parts of the application, leading to tight coupling.
- Single Deployment Unit: The entire application is packaged and deployed as a single unit. This can simplify the deployment process, especially in the early stages of development.
- Tight Coupling: Components within a monolithic application are tightly integrated. Changes in one part of the application can significantly impact other parts, increasing complexity and making it difficult to scale specific parts of the application independently.
- Shared Database: Typically, a monolithic application uses a single, shared database for all its data needs. While this might simplify initial development, it can lead to significant challenges in maintaining and scaling the database as the application grows.
When to Use Monolithic Architecture? 🤔
Modern architectural patterns like microservices are gaining popularity, but monolithic architecture still has its place. So, when should we consider using it?
- Small Applications: Despite its disadvantages, monolithic architecture is still a great choice for small applications. It is straightforward to build, test, deploy, troubleshoot, and scale vertically. This makes it ideal for projects with predictable scale and complexity.
- Startups and Small Teams: If you’re a startup with a small team, say 2 to 5 members, you don’t need the overhead of managing microservices. A monolith can meet all your business requirements, allowing your team to focus more on the business than the technology.
- Proof of Concept or Quick Launch: If you’re building a proof of concept or want to test a new idea quickly, a monolithic architecture can be the best option. It allows rapid development and deployment, letting you validate your business idea without spending too much time on technology setup.
- Lack of Expertise in Microservices: Microservices require a certain level of expertise to implement effectively. If your team lacks experience in microservices, starting with a monolithic architecture can be a safer and more efficient choice.
What’s Wrong with Traditional Monolithic Architecture? 😬
While monolithic architecture has its benefits, it also comes with several challenges that can hinder scalability, development, and maintenance.
Slide: Scalability Issues 🚧
- Scaling the Entire Application: In a monolithic architecture, the entire application is a single unit. This means that when one part of the application needs to scale, the entire application must be scaled, leading to inefficient resource utilization.
- Resource-Intensive: Scaling a monolithic application can be costly and resource-intensive. You might end up using more resources than necessary because you cannot fine-tune the scaling for individual components.
Slide: Development Bottlenecks ⛔
- Complex Codebase: As new functionalities are added, the codebase of a monolithic application can become extremely large and complex, making it difficult to manage. Over time, the application can become so complicated that no single person understands it fully.
- Tight Coupling: Changes in one part of the application can have unintended consequences in other parts due to tight coupling. This makes it difficult to make changes without extensive testing.
Slide: Deployment Risks ⚠️
- Single Point of Failure: Since the entire application is deployed as a single unit, any issue during deployment can bring down the entire system.
- Difficult Rollbacks: Rolling back a monolithic application can be challenging. If a deployment fails, you must roll back the entire application, which can be a complex and risky process.
- Frequent Downtime: Deploying updates often requires downtime, impacting the user experience, especially if updates are frequent.
Slide: Technology Lock-In 🔒
- Barrier to New Technology Adoption: When all components are tightly integrated, adopting new technology can be challenging. For example, switching to a different database technology for a specific component would require significant changes across the entire application.
- Fear Cycle: After developing the same monolithic application for years, changing the entire codebase to a new technology can be daunting. Instead of building new solutions, most of the time is spent maintaining legacy apps.
Conclusion
Despite its challenges, monolithic architecture has its place, especially for smaller applications or teams just starting out. However, it’s essential to understand its limitations and plan accordingly for future growth and scalability. If not managed properly, a monolithic application can quickly become a “Big Ball of Mud” — a tangled mess that is difficult to maintain, scale, or evolve.
By recognizing these challenges early on, you can make informed decisions about whether a monolithic architecture is right for your project or if you should explore other options, such as microservices or modular monoliths.
This is step-by-step development of reference Modular Monoltihs Architecture on .NET used ASP.NET Web API, Docker, PostgreSQL, Redis, RabbitMQ, Keycloak, Seq, MassTransit, Entity Framework Core, CQRS, MediatR, DDD, Vertical Slice Architecture and Outbox Pattern implementation with using latest features of .NET 8 and C# 12.
