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Intro

The Backends for Frontends (BFF) pattern is an architectural pattern that involves creating a separate backend service for each frontend application. This pattern is often used in microservices architectures, where each service is responsible for a specific function.

https://www.openlegacy.com/blog/backend-for-frontend

Backends For Frontends(BFF)

What is Backend for Frontend (BFF)?

Backend for Frontend (BFF) is a design pattern that involves creating a dedicated backend service tailored specifically for a particular frontend application (like a web or mobile app). This approach helps in optimizing the communication between the frontend and backend by providing a layer that is specifically designed to serve the needs of the frontend, making it easier to manage and improve performance.

Overview

Backend for Frontend (BFF) is designed to create a dedicated backend layer tailored specifically for individual frontend applications. It serves to optimize communication, improve performance, and streamline development by providing APIs that are custom-built to meet the specific needs of each frontend.

Key Features of BFF

  1. Tailored API: Each frontend (web, mobile, etc.) can have its own backend that serves only the data and functionality it needs.
  2. Reduced Over-fetching: By designing the API specifically for the frontend, you can avoid sending unnecessary data, reducing payload sizes.
  3. Simplified Logic: It allows for frontend-specific logic to reside in the backend, keeping the frontend code cleaner and more focused on presentation.
  4. Easier Adaptation: Changes in the frontend can often be accommodated in the BFF without affecting the overall backend architecture.

Scenario

Suppose you have two different frontend applications: a web app and a mobile app. Each of these apps requires different data formats and structures from the backend.

  • Web App: Needs detailed information, including user profiles, order histories, and recommendations.
  • Mobile App: Needs summarized data to save bandwidth, focusing only on essential information like user profiles and recent orders.
BFF Implementation

BFF Layer:

  • Web BFF:

    • API Endpoint: /api/web/user-profile
    • Returns detailed user information, including nested objects.

  • Mobile BFF:

    • API Endpoint: /api/mobile/user-profile
    • Returns a simplified version of the user profile with only essential fields.

Benefits:

  • Tailored Responses: Each frontend gets exactly what it needs without over-fetching or under-fetching data.
  • Decoupled Development: Frontend teams can work independently from backend teams since the BFF layer abstracts the backend complexities.
  • Optimized Performance: By reducing payload sizes for the mobile app, you improve loading times and user experience.

In a traditional setup, you might have a single backend service that serves both the web and mobile apps.

  • Single API Endpoint: /api/user-profile

    • Returns all user data regardless of the frontend requesting it, including detailed information that the mobile app doesn't need.
Drawbacks:
  • Over-fetching: The mobile app receives more data than it needs, leading to larger payloads and slower response times.
  • Inflexibility: Any changes required for one frontend can inadvertently affect the other, making development less agile.
  • Complexity: Frontend developers may need to implement additional logic to filter and process unnecessary data, adding to their workload.

Using a BFF allows you to tailor backend services specifically for different frontend applications, optimizing data delivery, improving performance, and simplifying development. In contrast, a traditional single-backend approach can lead to inefficiencies and complexities as frontends evolve.

Implementation in drf

Is BFF a Microservice?

Yes, the Backend For Frontend pattern is one of several types of microservice architecture patterns.

Each BFF service is considered a microservice that serves as a connector between frontend and backend development.

Reference