Micro-frontend Version Management via Central Registry
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large software development projects, coordinating updates across multiple teams working on monolithic code bases is challenging due to difficulties in ensuring all teams are aware of the latest versions of micro-applications and libraries, leading to version inconsistencies across different portions of the software.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses cloud computing environments and manifest files to manage and load correct versions of micro-frontend applications, allowing host applications to offload the responsibility of version management and enabling seamless integration and reuse across applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If micro-applications and libraries are decomposed into independent components, then software complexity is reduced and development is simplified, but version coordination between multiple teams becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central registry as an intermediary system that stores metadata about micro-applications and libraries. This registry acts as a single source of truth that all development teams can query to obtain the latest version information, eliminating the need for direct coordination between teams and solving the version consistency problem while maintaining component independence
2Productivity
If teams independently update their portions of software with latest micro-applications and libraries, then software functionality is improved, but version inconsistencies arise across different portions of the software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central registry provides version information to all teams, and teams report back their usage. The registry tracks which versions are being used across different portions of the software, enabling centralized coordination to ensure all teams use compatible versions while allowing independent development to continue
3Adaptability or versatility
If host applications search for and locate correct versions of micro-frontend applications themselves, then version control is distributed and flexible, but the process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables host applications to automatically query the central registry for the latest version information of micro-frontend applications. The registry provides self-service capabilities where applications can independently obtain correct version metadata without manual intervention, reducing complexity while maintaining flexibility in version selection
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed are directed to a system that performs steps to transmit, to a client device, a host application for storage on a browser of the client device. The host application is used to facilitate loading of a micro-frontend application onto the browser at runtime of the host application, for integration with and use in conjunction with the host application. The system also receives, from the host application, a request to load the micro-frontend application onto the browser. Based on receiving the request, a manifest file is accessed indicating a version of the micro-frontend application to be loaded onto the browser. The micro-frontend application is retrieved based on the version indicated in the manifest file and transmitted to the host application for loading onto the browser.