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Handling Database Schema Drift in Multi-Tenant Spring Boot Applications

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Handling Database Schema Drift  When building a Spring Boot web application that must be deployed across multiple customers, it is common to face a challenging scenario: all customers use similar databases, but not all database schemas are perfectly aligned. Some clients may have: Tables missing newly introduced columns Tables partially updated due to failed or delayed migrations Legacy schemas that evolved independently over time This situation, often referred to as database schema drift , can easily lead to runtime errors, failed queries, and fragile application logic if not handled correctly. In this article, we’ll explore the best architectural and technical solutions, ordered from most robust and scalable to simplest and most tactical, to handle schema differences in a multi-customer Spring Boot environment. Why Schema Drift Is a Serious Problem Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understan...

Design by Committee: Why Collective Decisions Break Software Engineering

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In theory, collaboration is one of the greatest strengths of software engineering. Diverse perspectives, shared ownership, and collective problem-solving are often cited as key ingredients of successful teams. In practice, however, collaboration can easily degenerate into something far less effective: design by committee . Design by committee is a well-known anti-pattern in software development where technical decisions are made by large groups without clear ownership, authority, or accountability. Instead of producing robust solutions, this approach often leads to diluted designs, endless discussions, and systems that satisfy no one while solving little. This article explores what design by committee really is, why it happens so often in IT organizations, how it damages software quality and delivery, and—most importantly—how to avoid it. What Is Design by Committee? Design by committee occurs when: Technical decisions are made by groups rather than by clearly accountable experts Parti...