Simpler Solutions Often Scale Best

Complex distributed systems like DynamoDB and Google Spanner may seem appealing as businesses grow, but simpler architectures can offer greater efficiency. Stack Overflow exemplifies this by achieving success with a few machines rather than extensive hardware investments. When confronted with smaller data sets, like 200 megabytes, overcomplication through tools like Hadoop can be unnecessary. Instead, using a single powerful server with ample RAM and processing power can solve many problems more cost-effectively than developing a complex distributed architecture. While vertical scaling—enhancing a single machine’s power—should not be overlooked, it may often prove more efficient than expanding into complex systems, depending on specific operational needs.