API composition simplifies frontend development by unifying multiple APIs into a single interface.
API coordination shifts the responsibility of coordinating calls to multiple APIs from frontend developers to the backend BFF layer.
API evolution can be managed smoothly and iteratively by implementing a BFF layer as a facade for maintaining compatibility while introducing enhancements.
Deep dives
API Composition: Simplifying Integration with Multiple APIs
API composition allows frontend developers to combine and unify multiple APIs into a single interface. This eliminates the need for frontend developers to integrate with each API individually, reducing complexity and coupling. By creating a composed schema or graph, developers can query a subset of the overall API surface, making it easier to retrieve the necessary data for frontend views. The use of API composition helps streamline the integration process and improves efficiency for frontend development.
API Coordination: Streamlining Relationship Between APIs
API coordination addresses the challenge of coordinating calls to multiple APIs in frontend development. Instead of having frontend developers manage the coordination logic, this pattern pushes that responsibility to the backend, specifically the Backend for Frontend (BFF) layer. The BFF acts as an intermediary, making multiple API requests, combining the responses, and sending a single response back to the frontend client. This reduces complexity and ensures that frontend developers can focus on their core tasks without having to handle intricate coordination processes.
API Evolution: Facilitating Seamless API Updates
API evolution is crucial when working with backend systems that need to undergo updates or changes while ensuring minimal disruption to frontend clients. By implementing a Backend for Frontend (BFF) layer, API providers can gradually update their services without breaking existing integrations. The BFF acts as a facade, maintaining compatibility with old versions of the APIs while simultaneously introducing enhancements and new features. This pattern allows for smooth and controlled API evolution, reducing the risk of breaking changes and enabling businesses to iteratively improve their offerings.
API Dependency Management and Collaboration
API dependency management and collaboration are essential components for effective API development and integration. This approach involves treating APIs as dependencies, similar to code modules, and managing them accordingly. A platform that facilitates collaboration between API producers and consumers is crucial for ensuring seamless integration and continuous change. This platform would allow for the mapping of API dependencies, real-time impact analysis, collaborative discussions, proposing changes, and version management. The goal is to empower developers to continuously change APIs without breaking existing integrations, ultimately enhancing collaboration and efficiency in the API development ecosystem.
Wonder Graph: Simplifying Backend for Frontend Development
Wonder Graph is an open-source framework designed to simplify Backend for Frontend (BFF) development. It facilitates API dependency management, API composition, and API coordination, enabling frontend developers to seamlessly integrate multiple APIs into their applications. With Wonder Graph, developers can define operations against API dependencies, generate BFF API surfaces, and automatically generate compatible client-side code. The framework aims to streamline the development process, provide clarity on API dependencies, and empower developers to efficiently build frontend applications while incorporating best practices for BFF development.
Jens Neuse, founder of Wundergraph, joins SE Radio host Jeff Doolittle for a conversation about back ends for front ends, or BFF. Jens begins by explaining how a heavy integration burden is often placed on front-end development teams. When multiple APIs must be integrated, it can be challenging for client development in web, mobile, and desktop environments. Explaining how APIs should be treated as dependencies, just like packages, the episode explores BFF patterns and use cases, as well as the future potential emergence of a “git for APIs” standard. This episode is sponsored by ClickSend.
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