Shared Libraries vs Monolithic Applications

Developers should learn and use shared libraries to create modular, maintainable, and resource-efficient applications, especially in large-scale projects where code reuse is critical meets developers should consider monolithic applications for small to medium-sized projects where simplicity, rapid development, and ease of deployment are priorities, such as in startups or proof-of-concept applications. Here's our take.

Shared Libraries

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use shared libraries to create modular, maintainable, and resource-efficient applications, especially in large-scale projects where code reuse is critical

Pros

• They are essential for reducing binary size, enabling easy updates without recompiling entire applications, and facilitating interoperability between different software components
• Related to: dynamic-linking, static-libraries

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Monolithic Applications

Developers should consider monolithic applications for small to medium-sized projects where simplicity, rapid development, and ease of deployment are priorities, such as in startups or proof-of-concept applications

Pros

• This architecture is also suitable when the team is small and the application has predictable, low-traffic requirements, as it avoids the overhead of distributed systems
• Related to: microservices, service-oriented-architecture

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Shared Libraries if: You want they are essential for reducing binary size, enabling easy updates without recompiling entire applications, and facilitating interoperability between different software components and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Monolithic Applications if: You prioritize this architecture is also suitable when the team is small and the application has predictable, low-traffic requirements, as it avoids the overhead of distributed systems over what Shared Libraries offers.

The Bottom Line

Shared Libraries wins

Developers should learn and use shared libraries to create modular, maintainable, and resource-efficient applications, especially in large-scale projects where code reuse is critical