Real-Time Capabilities in Micro Frontends

1. Introduction

Micro frontends are a modern architectural approach that allows for the development of web applications as a composition of smaller, independently deployable frontend applications. Real-time capabilities enhance user experiences by enabling dynamic updates of content without requiring page refreshes. This lesson explores how to implement real-time functionalities in micro frontends.

2. Key Concepts

2.1 Definitions

Micro Frontends: Independent web applications that can be developed and deployed separately.
Real-Time Data: Information that is delivered immediately after collection without delay.

3. Real-Time Techniques

3.1 WebSockets

WebSockets provide a full-duplex communication channel over a single TCP connection, enabling real-time data exchange. This is particularly useful for micro frontends that need to receive live updates.

Note: WebSockets are ideal for situations where low latency and high frequency of updates are required, such as chat applications or live data feeds.

const socket = new WebSocket('wss://your-websocket-url');
socket.onmessage = function(event) {
    const data = JSON.parse(event.data);
    // Update your micro frontend with the new data
};

3.2 Server-Sent Events (SSE)

SSE allows servers to push updates to the client over HTTP. This is great for scenarios where the server needs to send real-time updates to the client.

const eventSource = new EventSource('https://your-sse-url');
eventSource.onmessage = function(event) {
    const data = JSON.parse(event.data);
    // Handle the incoming data
};

3.3 Polling

Polling is a method where the client periodically requests updates from the server. While not as efficient as WebSockets or SSE, it can be easier to implement in certain scenarios.

setInterval(async () => {
    const response = await fetch('https://your-api-url');
    const data = await response.json();
    // Update your micro frontend with the new data
}, 5000); // Poll every 5 seconds

4. Best Practices

Choose the right real-time technology based on your application's requirements.
Implement data synchronization to ensure all micro frontends have consistent data.
Optimize performance by minimizing payload sizes and using efficient data structures.
Leverage caching strategies to improve responsiveness and reduce server load.

5. FAQ

What are the advantages of using WebSockets?

WebSockets provide low latency, bi-directional communication, which is essential for real-time applications such as chat systems and live notifications.

When should I use SSE instead of WebSockets?

SSE should be used when you only need server-to-client communication, and the overhead of establishing a WebSocket connection is unnecessary.

Is polling a viable solution for real-time updates?

Polling can be a simple solution for real-time updates, but it may not be efficient for high-frequency updates or large-scale applications.


graph TD;
    A[Start] --> B{Choose Real-Time Method}
    B -->|WebSockets| C[Implement WebSocket Client]
    B -->|SSE| D[Implement SSE Client]
    B -->|Polling| E[Implement Polling Client]
    C --> F[Update UI with Data]
    D --> F
    E --> F