The chapter compares the main styles of request–response interfaces between services: the REST-style HTTP API, RPC and gRPC, and GraphQL. It then examines how a request reaches the right service: gateway, reverse proxy, BFF, service discovery, load balancing and service mesh. The styles are compared along the same aspects so that the choice can be justified.
Synchronous APIs and Entry Points
The chapter compares the main styles of request–response interfaces between services: the REST-style HTTP API, RPC and gRPC, and GraphQL. It then examines how a request reaches the right service: gateway, reverse proxy, BFF, service discovery, load balancing and service mesh. The styles are compared along the same aspects so that the choice can be justified.