Monolithic Architecture
Monolithic architecture is a software design pattern where an application is built as a single, unified unit with tightly coupled components, such as the user interface, business logic, and data access layers, all deployed together. It typically runs as a single process on a server, with all code in one codebase, making it straightforward to develop, test, and deploy initially. However, as the application grows, it can become complex and difficult to scale or maintain due to interdependencies.
Developers should use monolithic architecture for small to medium-sized projects, prototypes, or when rapid development and simplicity are priorities, as it reduces initial complexity and overhead. It is suitable for applications with predictable, low-to-moderate traffic where scaling can be handled vertically by adding more resources to a single server. However, for large, complex systems requiring independent scaling of components or frequent updates, alternatives like microservices are often preferred.