In web development, applications can be built in different ways. One of the most common questions is: should we build a monolithic application or use microservices? Both have their own advantages and challenges.
If you are learning through full stack developer classes, you may have heard these terms. Understanding the difference between monoliths and microservices is important for every developer. In this blog, we will explain what they are, why companies are moving from monolith to microservices, and how you, as a full stack developer, can learn this step by step.
What is a Monolithic Application?
Let’s start simple.
It is a single large codebase where all parts of the application are connected. It has:
- A single backend
- A single frontend
- A single database
Everything is developed and deployed together. Think of it like one big block where all features, like user login, product listings, payment systems, and admin panels, are part of the same code.
Example:
An online store where the website, admin panel, payment system, and customer support are all built in one codebase.
Pros of Monolithic Architecture:
- Easy to start and build small applications.
- Simple deployment process.
- Easier to debug in small projects.
- Requires less setup.
Cons of Monolithic Architecture:
- Difficult to manage as the application grows.
- Hard to scale specific parts of the app.
- A small bug can break the whole system.
- Deployment becomes risky and slow.
What are Microservices?
Microservices is an architecture style where an application is divided into smaller, independent services. Each service handles a specific feature or function and can be developed, deployed, and scaled separately.
Example:
In the same online store example:
- The user login system is one microservice.
- The product catalog is another microservice.
- The payment system is a separate microservice.
- The admin panel runs on its own service.
Each of these services can have its own database and communicate with each other through APIs.
Pros of Microservices Architecture:
- Easy to scale individual services.
- Teams can work on different services at the same time.
- Deployment is faster and safer.
- Bugs in one service don’t affect the entire app.
- Allows using different technologies for different services.
Cons of Microservices Architecture:
- More complex to set up.
- Requires strong knowledge of APIs and DevOps.
- Needs good monitoring and security.
- Communication between services can be tricky.
Why Move from Monolith to Microservices?
When an application becomes large and complex, managing a monolithic codebase becomes difficult. Companies face problems like:
- Slow development speed.
- Frequent downtime during deployment.
- Difficulties in scaling certain parts of the app.
Microservices solve these problems by splitting the app into smaller, easier-to-manage pieces. Big companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Uber have successfully moved from monolithic to microservices architectures.
A Full Stack Developer’s Roadmap from Monolith to Microservices
If you are a full stack developer, moving from monolith to microservices is an important journey. Here is a simple roadmap to follow.
Step 1: Master the Basics of Full Stack Development
Before learning microservices, you need a strong foundation in full stack development. This includes:
- Frontend development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Vue, or Angular).
- Backend development (Node.js, Express, Django, or Spring Boot).
- Working with databases (SQL and NoSQL).
- Building and consuming APIs.
- Version control using Git.
This knowledge will help you understand how different parts of an application work together.
Step 2: Build and Understand a Monolithic Application
Start by building a simple monolithic application. For example, create an e-commerce website where:
- The frontend is built with React or Vue.
- The backend is built with Node.js and Express.
- A single database like MongoDB stores all the data.
Deploy the application and understand how the entire system works as one unit.
Step 3: Learn About REST APIs and Communication
Microservices need to communicate with each other. Understanding REST APIs is very important. Learn how to:
- Create APIs.
- Call APIs from the frontend and backend.
- Handle API responses and errors.
You should also learn about HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and status codes.
Step 4: Understand the Basics of Microservices
Once you are comfortable with monolithic apps and APIs, start learning microservices concepts:
- What are microservices?
- How do they communicate (REST, gRPC, messaging queues)?
- Service discovery and load balancing.
- Authentication and authorization in microservices.
Step 5: Split a Monolith into Microservices (Practice Project)
Take your monolithic app and try to break it into microservices. For example:
- Create a separate service for user authentication.
- Another service for product management.
- A third service for order handling.
Each service should have its own small codebase and database. They should communicate with each other through APIs.
Step 6: Learn About Docker and Containers
Microservices are often deployed in containers. Docker is a tool that helps package your service with all its dependencies. Learn how to:
- Create Dockerfiles.
- Build and run Docker containers.
- Use Docker Compose to manage multiple services.
Step 7: Introduction to Kubernetes (Optional but Useful)
For managing many microservices, Kubernetes is a popular tool. It helps in deploying, scaling, and managing microservices in production environments.
As a full stack developer, basic knowledge of Kubernetes is helpful but not always required for smaller projects.
Step 8: Learn About CI/CD and DevOps Practices
Microservices development includes frequent deployments. Learning CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment) helps automate building, testing, and deploying services.
Popular tools include:
- GitHub Actions
- Jenkins
- GitLab CI
Understanding basic DevOps practices will make you a better full stack developer.
Step 9: Focus on Monitoring and Logging
In microservices, it’s important to monitor the health of each service. Learn about tools for:
- Logging service activities.
- Monitoring service health and performance.
- Handling errors and failures.
Popular tools: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack.
Step 10: Work on Real-World Microservices Projects
Practice is key. Try to build or contribute to real-world microservices projects. This will give you hands-on experience in solving real problems.
Tools and Technologies You Should Learn
Here is a list of tools and technologies that are useful when moving from monolith to microservices:
- Frontend: React, Vue, Angular.
- Backend: Node.js, Express, Django, Spring Boot.
- Databases: MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL.
- API Tools: Postman, Swagger.
- Containerization: Docker.
- Orchestration: Kubernetes (optional but useful).
- CI/CD: GitHub Actions, Jenkins.
- Monitoring: Prometheus, Grafana.
- Cloud Providers: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud.
Common Challenges in Microservices
Moving to microservices is not easy. Developers face challenges like:
- Managing service-to-service communication.
- Handling data consistency.
- Securing APIs and data flow.
- Deploying and scaling multiple services.
- Debugging issues across services.
These challenges can be solved with practice, good tools, and following best practices.
Why Full Stack Developers Should Learn Microservices
In 2025, many companies are moving towards microservices because of their flexibility and scalability. As a full stack developer, knowing how to work with microservices will:
- Increase your job opportunities.
- Help you work on modern applications.
- Make you a better problem solver.
- Prepare you for working in large teams and systems.
Even if your project starts as a monolith, knowing microservices will help you design better systems.
Conclusion
Moving from monolith to microservices is an important step for modern full stack developers. While monolithic applications are good for small projects, microservices offer better scalability and flexibility for large and growing applications.
As a full stack developer, learning this transition will make you more skilled and valuable in the tech industry. The journey includes mastering frontend and backend, building monolith apps, understanding APIs, learning Docker, and working on microservices projects.
If you want a guided learning path, joining a full stack course can help you learn all these concepts step by step, with practical projects and real-world examples.
The future of web development is moving towards microservices. Start learning today and get ready for exciting opportunities.
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