Monorepos vs Polyrepos: Which One Fits Your Workflow?

Introduction to the Monorepo and Polyrepo

Hey everyone, Usman here, I’m a WordPress Web Developer and technical content writer. You can find me here (Muhammad Usman) on LinkedIn. Today in this post I will try to explain what exactly is monorepo, how it's different from polyrepo, and which one you should use. In software development, the way you manage and store your project is important. Developers have been discussing too many times, monorepo and polyrepo.
What is a Monorepo: Monorepo is a unified repository where multiple projects, libraries, and services are stored together.
What is a Polyrepo: On the flip side, polyrepo or multirepo stands for multiple repositories. Each project has its own space and repo.

The Big Question

But the question is: which approach is better? Is it more efficient to keep everything under one roof, or should there be mechanical boundaries with polyrepo?

Understanding Monorepo

But first, let's try to understand what exactly it is and why companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft are using it.
At its core, monorepo is a unified repository that houses multiple projects. This setup allows easy code sharing, streamlines development, and ensures consistency.

Why Developers Are Attracted to Monorepo

But what makes developers attracted to monorepo? Let's start with the pros:

1. Simplifying Dependency Management

With all projects under one roof, managing and updating dependencies becomes super easy.

2. Refactoring Changes Across Multiple Projects

No worries! Monorepo makes it seamless to refactor code across the board.

3. Unified Versioning

All your projects evolve together, which helps in maintaining a consistent versioning system.

Challenges of Monorepo

But here's the thing: every silver lining has a cloud.

1. Its Size

Monorepos come with a set of challenges, and one of their biggest challenges is size.

2. Tooling Complexity

Since you are juggling multiple projects, you might need some special tools to deal with this.

Why Monorepo Remains Popular

Despite these challenges, monorepo remains a popular choice among developers.

Understanding Polyrepo

Now, let's talk about polyrepo and why many big companies like Amazon and Netflix are using it.
Polyrepo, or multirepo, is a strategy where each project gets its own dedicated repo. This ensures clear boundaries for each project and allows them to stand tall and independent.

Advantages of Polyrepo

Polyrepo has its own appeal, and here is why developers use it:

1. Independence

Changes made in one repo do not cast a shadow on others.

2. Flexibility

With separate repositories, you are free to pick tools and languages that suit each project best.

3. Control

Polyrepo gives you fine control over access permissions, ensuring only the right people can enter the building.

Challenges of Polyrepo

Let me highlight bottlenecks of polyrepo:

1. Dependency Management

Keeping track and updating dependencies among different repos is not always easy.

2. Cross-Project Changes

Making cross-project changes is like traveling to different cities.

3. Management Overhead

Managing multiple repos requires diligence and attention to detail.

Use Cases for Monorepo

Monorepo is a top choice for those who value project independence and straightforward permissions.

1. Imagine you have a large team, and everyone is working on interconnected projects.
2. If your organization leans towards a more uniform approach where streamlined operations take priority over flexibility, monorepo shines. (It's like having all the eggs in one basket but with a protective lid.)

Use Cases for Polyrepo

On the flip side, polyrepo or multirepo is ideal in scenarios like:

1. When you are juggling different projects, and each project has its own technology stack.
2. It's like building with different sets of Lego pieces, where each project has its own set of blocks.
3. If every project you're handling has its own timeline, release dates, and updates, a polyrepo setup can offer more freedom.

The Final Notes

Now I will turn it over to you: which strategy are you using—polyrepo or monorepo? Leave a comment down below.
Thanks for reading!