What are the pros and cons of using a monorepo versus a multirepo?

What are the pros and cons of using a monorepo versus a multirepo?

A monorepo is a single repository that contains multiple projects, while a multirepo has separate repositories for each project. Monorepos can simplify dependency management and code sharing, but they may lead to larger repository sizes and longer build times. Multirepos allow for more granular control and can be easier to manage for smaller teams, but they can complicate dependency management.

Can you give me some examples of when to use each?

Sure! Use a monorepo when you have closely related projects that share a lot of code or dependencies, like a suite of microservices. A multirepo is better for independent projects that don't share much code, allowing teams to work in isolation without affecting each other.

What about versioning and CI/CD? How do they differ?

In a monorepo, versioning can be more complex since all projects are in one place, but CI/CD can be streamlined as you can run tests and builds for all projects together. In a multirepo, each project can have its own versioning and CI/CD pipeline, which can be simpler but may require more coordination.

Are there any tools that can help manage these repositories?

Yes, there are several tools! For monorepos, tools like Lerna and Nx can help manage dependencies and scripts. For multirepos, GitHub Actions and CircleCI are popular for setting up CI/CD pipelines.