Definition of scalable

The word "scalable" originated in the mid-19th century in the context of architecture. Back then, "scale" referred to the proportion and size of buildings, and a "scalable" design meant that a structure could be easily expanded or grown by adding more of the same components, while maintaining the same ratio or proportions. This concept was later applied to other fields, such as software and business, where it referred to the ability of a system, product, or process to adapt and grow while maintaining its efficiency and effectiveness. In the 1980s, the term gained popularity in the fields of computer science and engineering, describing systems that could handle increased workload or user traffic without a decrease in performance. Today, "scalable" is widely used to describe anything that can be easily adapted, grown, or expanded while maintaining its core characteristics.