Micro Frontends: Fundamental Concepts

What are “micro frontends” and how should they be used?

Some fundamental concepts of micro frontends are:

• Micro frontends are a way of splitting your frontend into a series of independently deployable and loosely coupled frontend applications that can be composed together to create a single frontend application.
• Micro frontends allow the benefits of microservices in the frontend world, such as increased scalability, performance, maintainability, and team autonomy .
• Micro frontends can be implemented using different approaches, such as server-side composition, client-side composition, build-time integration, or web components.
• Micro frontends require careful design and coordination to ensure consistency, usability, security, and compatibility across the different frontend applications .
• Micro frontends enable each team to choose its own technology stack, development workflow, and deployment strategy as long as they adhere to the agreed interface and contract with other teams.

Converting Monolithic Application into Micro Frontends

• A developer might split a single monolithic React application into microfrontends by using one of the following methods:
• Module Federation: This is a webpack feature that allows different bundles to share dependencies and expose components or functions to each other. A developer can use this method to create separate bundles for each microfrontend and dynamically load them at runtime.
• Single-spa: This is a framework that enables coexisting multiple frameworks on the same page. A developer can use this method to create separate applications for each microfrontend and register them with single-spa, which will handle the routing and mounting of the applications.
• Custom solution: This is a method that involves creating a custom architecture and logic for splitting and integrating the microfrontends. A developer can use this method to have more control and flexibility over the design and implementation of the microfrontends, but it also requires more effort and maintenance.

Enterprise Application Focus

As enterprise applications grow in complexity and scale, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage them as a single monolithic application. Changes to one part of the application can have unintended consequences for other parts, and it can be challenging to coordinate development efforts across multiple teams and technologies.

One solution to this problem is to adopt a microservices architecture, where the application is broken down into smaller, more manageable services that can be developed and deployed independently. But what about the front-end of the application? Can we apply the same principles to the user interface?

Enter micro frontends. Micro frontends are a way of breaking down the front-end of an application into smaller, more manageable pieces that can be developed and deployed independently. Each micro frontend is responsible for a specific part of the user interface, and can be developed using different technologies and by different teams.

So why use micro frontends when building enterprise applications? Here are some of the benefits:

1. Independent development and deployment

With micro frontends, each team can develop and deploy their part of the application independently. This means that changes can be made more quickly and with less risk of breaking other parts of the application. It also allows teams to use the technologies and tools that are best suited to their part of the application, rather than being constrained by a monolithic architecture.

2. Scalability

As the application grows, it can become difficult to scale the front-end to handle increased traffic and usage. With micro frontends, each part of the application can be scaled independently, allowing for better performance and reliability.

3. Reusability

Micro frontends can be reused across different applications and projects, making it easier to build new applications and features. This can save time and resources, and also ensure consistency across different parts of the application.

4. Flexibility

Micro frontends allow for greater flexibility in the design and layout of the application. Each micro frontend can have its own design and layout, and can be combined in different ways to create different views and experiences for the user.

Of course, there are also some challenges to using micro frontends. Coordinating the development and deployment of multiple micro frontends can be complex, and there may be issues with consistency and integration between different parts of the application. However, with careful planning and management, these challenges can be overcome.

In conclusion, micro frontends can be a powerful tool for building enterprise applications that are scalable, flexible, and easy to maintain. By breaking down the front-end of the application into smaller, more manageable pieces, teams can work more independently and with greater agility, while still maintaining consistency and integration across the application as a whole.

How to Implement Micro Frontends

Breaking a large React application into micro frontends can be a complex process, but there are some best practices that can help make it easier. Here are some steps you can follow:

1. Identify the different parts of your application that could be broken down into micro frontends. This could be based on functionality, user roles, or other factors.
2. Determine the communication protocols between the micro frontends. This could be done using APIs, events, or other mechanisms.
3. Decide on the technologies and tools that will be used for each micro frontend. This could be based on the skills and preferences of the teams working on each part of the application.
4. Define the interfaces between the micro frontends. This could include shared components, APIs, or other mechanisms for communication.
5. Develop and test each micro frontend independently. This will allow you to catch any issues early and ensure that each part of the application is working as expected.
6. Deploy each micro frontend independently. This will allow you to make changes and updates to each part of the application without affecting the rest of the application.

Development Best Practices

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when breaking down a large React application into micro frontends:

• Keep each micro frontend as small and focused as possible. This will make it easier to develop, test, and deploy each part of the application independently.
• Use a consistent design system across all micro frontends. This will help ensure consistency and usability across the application as a whole.
• Define clear interfaces between the micro frontends. This will make it easier to integrate the different parts of the application and ensure that they work together seamlessly.
• Use a shared state management system, such as Redux or MobX, to manage state across the micro frontends. This will help ensure consistency and avoid conflicts between different parts of the application.
• Use a consistent build and deployment process across all micro frontends. This will make it easier to manage and deploy the different parts of the application.

Breaking down a large React application into micro frontends can be a challenging process, but by following these best practices and taking a thoughtful approach, you can create a more scalable, maintainable, and flexible application that can grow and evolve over time.