what is monolithic architecture & microservice architecture ?

 

A monolithic architecture refers to a software design where all components of an application are tightly integrated into a single unit. This means that the frontend, backend, and database all function as a single entity, making development and deployment straightforward but potentially limiting scalability.

Key Characteristics of Monolithic Architecture

✔ Single Codebase → Everything is stored and managed within one large code repository.

✔ Unified Deployment → The entire application is deployed as one package.
✔ Shared Memory & Resources → Components interact directly within the system.
✔ Synchronous Execution → Typically follows a linear processing model.

• Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript for UI.

• Backend: A single server handling user requests.

• Database: A centralized database managing orders, users, and inventory.

Pros and Cons

Feature	Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Development	Easier to start	Can become complex as it grows
Performance	Fast for small apps	Hard to scale specific parts
Deployment	Single deployment process	Full redeployment required for changes
Debugging & Testing	Easier in small projects	Difficult in large projects
Scalability	Limited	Requires breaking into microservices

Example of a Monolithic Application

Imagine an e-commerce website built in a monolithic architecture:

If the team wants to update the payment system, the entire application must be redeployed, which can be inefficient.

Microservices architecture is a software design pattern where an application is built as a collection of small, independent services that communicate with each other. Each service is responsible for a specific business capability and operates independently, making scaling and development more flexible.

Key Features of Microservices Architecture

✅ Decentralized Services → Each service handles one specific function (e.g., authentication, payments).
✅ Independent Deployment → Services can be updated, deployed, or scaled separately.
✅ API Communication → Services communicate via RESTful APIs, GraphQL, or messaging queues.
✅ Technology Flexibility → Different services can use different programming languages or databases.
✅ Scalability → Each service can scale independently based on its load.

Microservices vs. Monolithic Architecture

Feature	Microservices Architecture	Monolithic Architecture
Codebase	Divided into multiple small services	Single codebase for the entire application
Deployment	Each service deployed separately	Entire app deployed together
Scalability	Can scale individual services	Hard to scale parts separately
Tech Stack	Different services can use different technologies	Must use the same tech stack
Maintenance	Easier to modify and update	Harder as codebase grows

Examples of Microservices-Based Applications

🔹 Netflix → Handles streaming, recommendations, authentication as separate services.
🔹 Amazon → Manages inventory, payments, and user accounts as independent microservices.
🔹 Uber → Uses microservices for ride-matching, pricing, notifications, and payment processing.