Building Scalable C# Web Apps When Requirements Are Unclear

When starting a web app with unclear requirements, balance scalability and simplicity. Here’s how to do it in C# without overcomplicating: 1. Start Simple, but Plan for Growth Build a modular core: Split your app into layers (e.g., Presentation, Business Logic, Data Access). Use interfaces and dependency injection (e.g., ASP.NET Core’s built-in DI) to keep components loosely coupled. // Example: Interface for flexibility public interface IUserService { Task GetUserAsync(int id); } Avoid early optimization: Use a monolithic design first. Split into microservices only when traffic or complexity demands it. 2. Focus on Risky Areas Identify parts likely to change (e.g., payment gateways, third-party integrations). Make these replaceable: // Abstract payment processing public interface IPaymentProcessor { Task ProcessPaymentAsync(decimal amount); } // Start with a simple implementation public class BasicPaymentProcessor : IPaymentProcessor { ... } Leave stable parts (e.g., user authentication) straightforward. 3. Use Proven Tools Stick to common frameworks: ASP.NET Core, Entity Framework Core, and Azure services are battle-tested and scale well. Avoid custom solutions for problems like caching or logging. Use built-in middleware or libraries (e.g., Serilog for logging). 4. Delay Decisions Database choice: Start with SQL Server or PostgreSQL. Use the Repository Pattern to hide database details, making it easier to switch later. public class UserRepository : IUserRepository { // Entity Framework Core example public async Task GetByIdAsync(int id) { return await _context.Users.FindAsync(id); } } Infrastructure: Build for a single server first. Use cloud services (e.g., Azure App Service) to scale horizontally later. 5. Write Just Enough Tests Cover critical workflows (e.g., payment processing) with unit tests. Avoid testing every small method early. Use tools like xUnit or NUnit for maintainable tests. 6. Iterate and Refactor Release a minimal viable product (MVP) first. Gather feedback before adding complex features. Refactor when requirements stabilize. For example: Replace a basic IPaymentProcessor with a more robust solution. Split the monolith into microservices only if needed. Avoid Over-Engineering

Apr 13, 2025 - 06:32

Building Scalable C# Web Apps When Requirements Are Unclear

When starting a web app with unclear requirements, balance scalability and simplicity. Here’s how to do it in C# without overcomplicating:

1. Start Simple, but Plan for Growth

Build a modular core: Split your app into layers (e.g., Presentation, Business Logic, Data Access). Use interfaces and dependency injection (e.g., ASP.NET Core’s built-in DI) to keep components loosely coupled.

  // Example: Interface for flexibility
  public interface IUserService 
  {
      Task<User> GetUserAsync(int id);
  }

Avoid early optimization: Use a monolithic design first. Split into microservices only when traffic or complexity demands it.

2. Focus on Risky Areas

Identify parts likely to change (e.g., payment gateways, third-party integrations). Make these replaceable:

// Abstract payment processing
public interface IPaymentProcessor 
{
    Task ProcessPaymentAsync(decimal amount);
}

// Start with a simple implementation
public class BasicPaymentProcessor : IPaymentProcessor { ... }

Leave stable parts (e.g., user authentication) straightforward.

3. Use Proven Tools

Stick to common frameworks: ASP.NET Core, Entity Framework Core, and Azure services are battle-tested and scale well.
Avoid custom solutions for problems like caching or logging. Use built-in middleware or libraries (e.g., Serilog for logging).

4. Delay Decisions

Database choice: Start with SQL Server or PostgreSQL. Use the Repository Pattern to hide database details, making it easier to switch later.

  public class UserRepository : IUserRepository 
  {
      // Entity Framework Core example
      public async Task<User> GetByIdAsync(int id) 
      {
          return await _context.Users.FindAsync(id);
      }
  }

Infrastructure: Build for a single server first. Use cloud services (e.g., Azure App Service) to scale horizontally later.

5. Write Just Enough Tests

Cover critical workflows (e.g., payment processing) with unit tests. Avoid testing every small method early.
Use tools like xUnit or NUnit for maintainable tests.

6. Iterate and Refactor

Release a minimal viable product (MVP) first. Gather feedback before adding complex features.
Refactor when requirements stabilize. For example:
- Replace a basic IPaymentProcessor with a more robust solution.
- Split the monolith into microservices only if needed.