Microservices vs Monolithic, Which One is Better for Today's Business Technology Architecture?

For the past few years, the monolithic architecture system for developing an application has been considered the "default" model in building a software system. However, the monolithic system seems to be experiencing a decline in its usage. This is due to several factors, such as challenges in operating complex and large code, difficulty in adapting to new technologies, difficulty in business expansion, and difficulty in making new changes to existing workflows.

Microservices vs Monolith: A Tough Choice of Technology Architecture for Today's Business

The Microservices architecture system itself only emerged a few years ago, and then accelerated to become a recent trend. Microservices are widely adopted by giant technology companies in Indonesia, such as Tokopedia, Gojek, and Traveloka. Microservices are chosen because of their flexible nature in adapting the application system to a highly dynamic market. The advantages of using microservices system are attractive for technology companies, ranging from business expansion opportunities, flexibility and speed in adapting to business changes, and other benefits.

Next, we will compare the monolithic architecture system and microservices to determine which application architecture is suitable for your current business.

Monolithic

Monolithic is a traditional approach in developing an application. Monolithic applications are formed as a single unit of code that cannot be separated from each other. One of the characteristics of the monolithic architecture system is that when a programmer wants to make changes to the monolithic system, the programmer must change the entire code unit simultaneously.

Advantages of Monolithic Architecture

1. Ease of implementation.

The monolithic system is considered a simple system, so it does not require much handling of files or directories in its implementation.

2. Simple to develop.

Monolithic is a standard approach in developing an application, so many people can participate in its development.

3. Easier debugging and testing.

The monolithic system is not divided into small parts, making it faster to debug and test.

Disadvantages of Monolithic Architecture

1. Difficult to understand the code during maintenance.

A monolithic system for developing large and complex applications will make the programming code more complex. This will create its own difficulties in understanding, especially for programmers who did not participate in the initial development of the application.

2. Difficult to make changes.

The larger the existing application, the more complicated the changes that need to be made. This will make the work process longer and more convoluted, as one change will greatly affect the entire system.

3. Difficult to develop applications.

By using a monolithic system, programmers cannot easily develop programs in the future. This is because system changes must be made entirely, not just in small parts.

4. Difficult to adopt new technologies.

To use new technologies, the application code with a monolithic system must be completely rewritten.

Microservices

If monolithic is an architecture of a single unit or entity application, then microservices are the opposite. Microservices are divided into smaller and more specific fragmented units. Each unit is separate and has its own system and database to operate and uses API mechanisms to connect with other units.

Advantages of Microservices

1. Independent units.

Each unit can operate separately, making it more flexible. When a bug occurs, only the affected unit needs to be fixed and does not affect other units.

2. Easier to understand.

The workflow of microservices is easier to understand because it is divided into smaller units, compared to having to understand the monolithic workflow as a whole.

3. Easy application development.

Because each unit can operate independently, microservices are easier to develop in the future.

4. Free to adopt new technologies.

Each unit in the microservices architecture can be more flexible in development, making it more optimal when adopting new technologies according to needs.

Disadvantages of Microservices

1. Different complexity levels.

A system that is divided into small units requires a good distribution system to connect between units and databases.

2. Complicated testing.

Testing the system will be more difficult because many components need to be tested and fixed.

So which approach is suitable for your business?

Monolithic:

• You have a small team
• The application system is simple
• Your team does not have experience and expertise in developing microservices systems
• You want to launch the application quickly

Microservices:

• Have experience and expertise in developing microservices systems
• The application is more complex and aims for business expansion
• Have an adequate team of programmers