100x faster db deploys

Alex Yates discusses the challenges and solutions associated with managing monolithic systems, particularly in the context of database deployments. He explores the common issue of tightly coupled systems, which often lead to complex deployment processes and inefficiencies, such as monolithic repositories and deployment projects that struggle with dependencies. Yates emphasizes the importance of understanding the architecture's coupling to determine whether databases should be separated into smaller repositories. He describes a real-world scenario where a customer faced lengthy deployment times due to unnecessary database comparisons, proposing a solution that involves tracking deployment history in a __DeployLog table to optimize deployment processes by only updating databases when necessary. While this approach mitigates some symptoms of monolithic systems, Yates acknowledges it doesn't address the underlying problem of tightly coupled architectures. He highlights the trade-offs involved and the potential for misunderstandings due to the complexity of the solution. Yates shares his expertise in DevOps practices for data and his experiences working with various organizations to improve IT and database delivery, underscoring the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation in managing imperfect systems.