Microservices Architecture vs Monolithic Architecture
A very first question that crops up in the mind of a programming developer when building a new application is, “how to organize the code?” The thought that comes along is choosing between the traditional monolithic architecture and new-age modern microservices. To clear your doubts, we will discuss the differences between these two to help you make a definitive choice.
How does monolithic architecture work?
The term monolith was frequent in geography subjects in school while representing a huge rock. To simplify explaining its usage in software, they are large code blocks with several modules closely related to one another. Its application is enclosed in a single binary known as a monolith. A monolith has a three-tier formation, including a user interface, database, and a server-side application.
Advantages
Let us look into reasons that make this architecture worth using:
1. No concerns of cross-cutting
Cross-cutting related issues can leave an impact on an entire application. These include handling, logging, monitoring performance, caching, etc. Monolith architecture limits concern in a single area for functionality, making it easier to maneuver.
2. Easy to debug and test
Compared to microservices, this architecture is easy to debug and test. A monolithic application is an indivisible unit, so end-to-end testing is quick and easier.
3. Easily deployable
Monolithic architecture requires you to deploy one file or directory. So, you do not need to handle several deployments simultaneously.
4. Straightforward development procedure
The standard format to build an application is easy. Engineering graduates that are starting with basic knowledge can easily use this architecture.
Disadvantages
Let us find out the drawbacks
1. Understanding
Monolithic architecture represents a complex code system that might be difficult to manage within a single application. When trying to scale up the application, the process might become difficult to understand.
2. Difficult to make changes
A complex application makes it difficult to change. The architecture comes with high tight coupling making it more challenging for changes. Code changes can affect the entire system, so developers need to coordinate thoroughly. The process also becomes time-consuming due to this.
3. Scalability
Since each component cannot be scaled individually, you need to work on the whole application to make changes.
4. Difficult to level up
It is tough to apply new technology in this traditional architecture. An entire app needs to be rewritten, making the process tedious and time-consuming.
How does microservices architecture work?
A microservice is a fresh take on Service-Oriented Architecture. It involves small deployable services modeled around applications. Different microservices communicate with API endpoints or HTTP protocols to create a distributed system.
A developer can deploy multiple microservices to build a heterogeneous set of hosts. From Bare Metal to the public cloud, it is compatible with multiple ranges of hosts. Since microservices are well distributed, they have several advantages in terms of portability, scalability, etc. These are the reasons why most app developers are migrating to this architecture rather than using monolithic.
Advantages
Here are the benefits of Microservices that will make you choose this over the other:
1. Independent management
All services in this architecture can be deployed and upgraded individually. If a bug is detected in one microservice, it impacts only that service and not the other parts of an application. The process of adding features is also easy in this system.
2. Easy to understand
You can split the system into small and simple components, so you can easily understand and manage microservices. Simply concentrate on one service at a time instead of restructuring every element each time. So, any change or experiment comes with low risks and little effort.
3. Enhanced scalability
Another benefit of this approach is that you can scale every service independently. The process is time and cost-effective. Monoliths have limited scalability, and when you need to acquire more users, you will have problems with monoliths.
4. Flexible
Microservices do not limit the engineering experts to choose technology with what they started out with. They can freely apply different types of frameworks and technologies for every microservice.
Disadvantages
Here are some weaknesses found in microservices architecture:
1. Complexity
The architecture is complex with several databases and modules, so every connection needs to be handled independently and cautiously. The distributed system of microservices makes it complex. You need to select and set up each connection between the databases and modules. Independent deployment of services is time-consuming and complex as well.
2. Cross-cutting concerns
There are several cross-cutting issues that you have to overcome when using this architecture. These include metrics, externalized configuration, logging, health checks, etc.
3. Testing
Since every service is deployed separately, they need to be tested individually too. The process makes microservices architecture challenging to maneuver and time-consuming.
Microservices Architecture vs Monolithic Architecture
Monolithic architecture requires several functionalities to be taken in a single unit. However, microservices architectures require the deployment of each service individually. While building microservices might seem time-consuming, they come with significant benefits and create a lasting impression.
More and more companies are shifting to the new architecture because the overall reliability and scalability are quicker and easier. It does require sound technical know-how and skills to adapt to a completely different structure when shifting from monolithic. But following a distributed system and handling services independently is more efficient. Every service comes with a specific goal within a microservice architecture, and those targets can be independently met.
