Monorepo vs Polyrepo: Pros, Cons, and Best Practices

In this video, we are talking about why we need mono repo for any future projects

Choosing between polyrepo (multiple repositories) and monorepo (a single repository) is a significant architectural decision in software development. Here are the key differences:

Monorepo
1. Single Repository:
2. Unified Versioning:
3. Consistency:
4. Tooling and Build Process:
Requires specialized tools to manage the large codebase, build processes, and dependencies. Tools like Bazel, Lerna, and Nx are often used.
5. Code Visibility:
6. Atomic Changes:

Polyrepo
1. Multiple Repositories:
Each project or component has its own repository.
2. Independent Versioning:
Each repository can be versioned independently, allowing for more granular control over releases.
3. Isolation:
Projects are more isolated from each other. This can reduce the impact of changes and make the system more modular.
4. Simplified Repositories:
Each repository is smaller and simpler, which can be easier to manage without specialized tools.
Use Case

Monorepo: Best for organizations prioritizing shared code, unified dependency management, and atomic changes across multiple projects. Common in large organizations like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft.

Polyrepo: Suitable for organizations that require modularity, independent versioning, and more isolated development environments. Favored in microservices architectures and when different teams manage different projects independently.

In summary, monorepos are advantageous for projects needing tight integration and consistency, while polyrepos offer greater independence and modularity. The decision often hinges on the organization's structure, project complexity, and specific needs for collaboration and version control.