I'm working on a side project that could either remain small or blow up in popularity. I want to avoid over-engineering from the start, but I also don't want to have to rewrite everything if it becomes successful. What tech stack would provide a good balance between fast development now and the ability to scale later?
5 Answers
The key is not just choosing the right stack but also keeping your code modular. This way, you can scale parts of your project without rewriting everything. Focus on separating your data storage from your business logic and presentation. Following the Twelve-Factor principles helps ensure that you can upgrade your project more smoothly later on.
Most tech stacks can scale. Once you get your project out there, you can always tweak things later. Focus on getting it to market first. You’ll figure out the scaling issues when you encounter them, which is the best way to go about it!
For my video app, I faced a similar challenge. I went with Solid, which gave me a production-ready stack (React, Node, Prisma). It helped me launch quickly and then easily scale when needed, fitting both 'speed' and 'scale later' into one package. Highly recommend it!
You should probably stick to the stack you’re most comfortable with. It’ll help you build quickly and get your project off the ground. If it does take off, you'll have a foundation ready to improve on.
Just build the project first, and don’t stress about scaling too much right away. Trust me, you’ll end up rewriting if it gains traction anyway. Follow the mantra: Make It Work > Make It Right > Make It Fast!
That’s solid advice! Keeping things modular definitely makes it easier to make adjustments when needed.