Developing a Micro Front-end Application using React [Tutorial]
Micro frontends first came to light in 2016 as front-end architecture similar to and loosely based on microservices. The architecture was developed in response to common issues with building a growing single-page application, like poor scalability, maintainability and developer experience.
Since, they’ve continued to evolve, allowing teams to build robust, feature-rich applications with more flexibility, accessibility and speed. In this article, I’ll unpack the theory behind Micro Frontends using a real-world demo app. We’ll explore how to implement this architecture as well as some of the advantages and challenges it can present.
Table Of Contents
The Microservice Architecture
To begin, we’ll dive into the intricacies of microservices architecture as it pertains to micro front-ends, examining their widespread application, adoption by various companies, advantages, and implementation strategies within micro frontend architecture. But first, let’s establish a clear understanding of what microservices entail:
What are Microservices?
Microservices are a software development approach where applications are structured as a collection of loosely coupled, independently deployable services. Each service, or “microservice”, is responsible for a specific business capability and operates as a self-contained unit, communicating with other services through well-defined APIs. This architectural style fosters modularity, scalability, and flexibility, enabling rapid development, deployment, and maintenance of complex applications.
Why Use the Microservice Architecture?
Microservice architecture reduces complex applications into single-purpose components. This is a more efficient approach because components are fault isolated: if one breaks, the rest of the app continues to work.
Each component can be built by a small, cross-functional team, enabling that team to choose the ideal technology for the job while also deploying independently, at their own pace.
