Building Scalable Distributed Systems

Avoiding the complexities of distributed systems is often the best approach when building software, as they inherently add complexity and can hinder productivity. By keeping processes on a single node and in memory, like the LMAX disruptor used in high-performance trading platforms, developers can achieve significant speed and efficiency. However, if high availability is necessary, it's crucial to challenge assumptions and requirements, considering whether such features are essential from the outset. When scaling becomes inevitable, minimal coordination and configuration-based approaches are recommended over transaction-level coordination to reduce brittleness. Leveraging existing tools and systems can help address common distributed system challenges, allowing developers to focus on unique business problems rather than reinventing infrastructure. By adopting strategies like Command/Query separation and Event Sourcing, developers can achieve a balance between local and distributed solutions, minimizing coordination and enhancing maintainability while using redundant storage effectively.