Background
Micro front end architecture is becoming increasingly popular in the software engineering arena. This new architectural development focuses on breaking down complex applications into modular components. The components are independently developed, deployed, and managed by small, focused teams with specialized knowledge. These components are then composed together to form a unified application. The main benefit of this approach is that it reduces the complexity of developing large, monolith applications.
In addition, the technology behind Micro Front End Architecture allows for the conversion of applications built in different programming languages. For example, a JavaScript application can be easily converted to HTML, so that it can be integrated with applications written in other languages such as Java. This makes it easier to integrate applications written in different languages as well as reuse code, significantly reducing development time and cost.
Advantages
Micro Front End Architecture offers several advantages, including scalability, maintainability, and reusability. The distributed nature of its components means that additional features can be added quickly, without having to modify existing code. This makes it easier to scale an application without incurring additional development costs.
Additionally, MFEA offers improved maintainability due to its modular approach. Rather than having a single, monolithic codebase to maintain, developers are able to focus on the individual components they are responsible for. This makes it easier to maintain the code and update the application when necessary.
Finally, components developed through MFEA can be reused in other applications, meaning that the same piece of code can be used in multiple applications. This significantly reduces development costs, as developers do not have to write new code for each application.
Challenges
Although Micro Front End Architecture has several advantages, it also presents some challenges. Since each component is managed by a separate development team, it can be difficult to maintain consistency across components. Additionally, since the components are developed separately, it can be challenging to integrate the components together in order to create a unified application. The lack of an effective ‘glue’ between components can lead to errors and instability of the application.
Integration
To address the challenges associated with MFEA integration, developers can use frameworks such as Angular and React. These frameworks allow developers to more easily integrate the components, managing dependencies between them as they change.
The frameworks also provide a unified approach to styling components, such as a common look and feel across the application. Additionally, they provide templating language, which can help ensure that components are compatible with one another and enable easier configuration and deployment.
Security
Since the application is composed of individual components, there is a greater risk of security vulnerabilities. Developers must ensure that the components they use are secure and that any sensitive information is properly protected. Additionally, adequate authentication and authorization must be implemented in order to protect the application from malicious actors.
Testing
Testing is an essential part of any development process, and this is no different for micro front end architecture. Since the components are developed independently, the application must be tested as a whole system to ensure that all components work together correctly.
Additionally, since the components are developed and maintained by separate teams, it is important to have a unified approach to testing. This will ensure that all components are tested in the same way, allowing developers to quickly identify any issues.
Deployment
Finally, micro front end architecture also presents challenges in terms of deployment. As the components are developed and maintained by separate teams, there is a need for an integrated deployment strategy that can deploy changes to all components quickly and efficiently.
To ensure that application changes are deployed correctly, it is important to use automated deployment processes. Continuous integration and deployment strategies enable developers to quickly and effectively deploy changes to the application, while also providing version control and automated testing capabilities. This reduces the risk of errors and ensures that the application is consistently up-to-date.
Data Storage
When using micro front end architecture, developers must consider how the application will store and manage data. In order to ensure efficient data management, developers should use scalable, reliable data storage solutions such as a relational database or cloud storage. This will ensure that data is easily accessible and remain secure.
Service Integration
When developing an application using micro front end architecture, developers must consider how the application will communicate with external services and APIs. This is particularly important for API-driven applications, as the application must be able to securely and seamlessly integrate with external services. API management tools can be used to monitor, manage and secure API connections, ensuring that the application is secure and stable.
