GraphQL Scalability and Database Selection Strategies | Architecting Manchester October Recap

By Joe Parker.

After a brief hiatus, Architecting Manchester returned last week, and let me tell you, It was fantastic to catch up with familiar faces and welcome newcomers, all eager to dive into the evening's topics: GraphQL scalability and choosing the perfect database.

We had two amazing speakers lined up: Ralph McTeggart, Principal Engineer at Cloudsmith, and Kate Gawron, Cloud Database Architect at DoIT. Both delivered engaging talks that not only educated but also sparked some deep discussions on modern software development practices.

Can GraphQL Scale? – Ralph McTeggart

Ralph kicked off the night with his talk, "Can GraphQL Scale?" Even if you walked in without a clue about GraphQL, Ralph had you covered. He started with the basics, making sure everyone was on the same page before diving into the big question.

What really stood out to me was Ralph's honest take on the hype and criticisms surrounding GraphQL. He didn't just sing its praises; he gave us a balanced view, highlighting both its strengths and the pitfalls to watch out for. Using real-world examples, he showed us what it takes to implement GraphQL in a production system with loads of data and multiple teams involved.

As someone who's been intrigued by GraphQL but wary of its complexities, Ralph's talk was a real eye-opener. By the end, I felt more confident in understanding how GraphQL can scale—provided it's approached with careful planning and a solid architecture.

Choosing the Perfect Database – Kate Gawron

Next up was Kate Gawron with her talk on "Choosing the Perfect Database." In today's fast-paced software development world, the database you choose can make or break your application, and Kate drove that point home brilliantly.

She walked us through the maze of database options out there—SQL, NoSQL, NewSQL, you name it—and broke down the key factors to consider: performance, scalability, data consistency, and ease of integration. What I loved about her presentation was how she debunked common myths and used real-world use cases to make the concepts hit home.

Kate's insights were particularly valuable for anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of database choices. Her actionable advice made it clear that aligning your application's specific needs with the right data solution is crucial for long-term success.

My Personal Takeaways

Reflecting on the evening, a few things really resonated with me:

• Balance Hype with Reality: Both Ralph and Kate emphasised the importance of looking beyond the buzzwords. It's easy to get swept up in the latest tech trends, but understanding the practical implications is key.

• Plan for Scalability Early: Whether it's implementing GraphQL or choosing a database, thinking about scalability from the get-go can save you a lot of headaches down the line. It's all about laying a solid foundation.

• Stay Curious and Keep Learning: The tech landscape is always evolving. Nights like these remind me how important it is to stay curious, keep learning, and share knowledge within our community.

What’s Next?

If last week's event taught us anything, it's that having the right knowledge and team in place is vital for navigating the complexities of modern software development. Whether you're seeking to hire top-tier tech talent or you're on the lookout for your next big career move, we’re here to help.

Couldn't make it last week? No worries! Our next event is just around the corner, and it's going to be a special one. We're hosting a panel discussion with an audience Q&A on Engineering Excellence, and the speaker lineup is absolutely amazing. This is your chance to engage directly with industry leaders, ask your burning questions, and gain insights into what makes engineering teams truly excel.

Check out the details and RSVP on our Architecting Manchester Meetup page: https://www.meetup.com/manchester-software-architecture-meetup/events/303805458/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

See you there!