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Modern web development has evolved significantly to address the growing complexity of frontend applications. Micro-frontend architecture presents a practical solution for building scalable, maintainable applications by breaking down monolithic frontends into smaller, independent units.
Module Federation represents a powerful approach to micro-frontends. This architecture, introduced in Webpack 5, enables real-time code sharing between applications:
// Host application
const HtmlWebpackPlugin = require('html-webpack-plugin');
const ModuleFederationPlugin = require('webpack/lib/container/ModuleFederationPlugin');
module.exports = {
plugins: [
new ModuleFederationPlugin({
name: 'host',
filename: 'remoteEntry.js',
remotes: {
app1: 'app1@http://localhost:3001/remoteEntry.js',
app2: 'app2@http://localhost:3002/remoteEntry.js'
},
shared: ['react', 'react-dom']
}),
new HtmlWebpackPlugin({
template: './public/index.html'
})
]
};
Web Components provide a standardized way to create reusable, framework-agnostic components. This approach enables true technology independence:
class MicroFrontend extends HTMLElement {
constructor() {
super();
this.shadow = this.attachShadow({ mode: 'open' });
}
static get observedAttributes() {
return ['name', 'url'];
}
async connectedCallback() {
const content = await this.loadContent();
this.shadow.innerHTML = content;
}
async loadContent() {
const response = await fetch(this.getAttribute('url'));
return response.text();
}
}
customElements.define('micro-frontend', MicroFrontend);
iFrame-based integration offers strong isolation between different parts of the application. We implement this using a simple coordinator:
class FrameManager {
constructor(container) {
this.container = container;
this.frames = new Map();
}
loadMicroFrontend(name, url) {
const frame = document.createElement('iframe');
frame.src = url;
frame.style.border = 'none';
frame.style.width = '100%';
frame.style.height = '100%';
this.frames.set(name, frame);
this.container.appendChild(frame);
}
removeMicroFrontend(name) {
const frame = this.frames.get(name);
if (frame) {
frame.remove();
this.frames.delete(name);
}
}
}
Client-side composition requires a shell application to manage routing and micro-frontend integration:
class Shell {
constructor() {
this.routes = new Map();
this.currentMicroFrontend = null;
}
registerRoute(path, microFrontendConfig) {
this.routes.set(path, microFrontendConfig);
}
async handleNavigation(path) {
const config = this.routes.get(path);
if (!config) return;
if (this.currentMicroFrontend) {
await this.currentMicroFrontend.unmount();
}
const module = await System.import(config.url);
this.currentMicroFrontend = await module.mount(config.container);
}
}
Server-side composition implements micro-frontend assembly before sending to the client:
const express = require('express');
const axios = require('axios');
class ServerComposition {
async composePage(req, res) {
try {
const [header, content, footer] = await Promise.all([
axios.get('http://header-service/fragment'),
axios.get('http://content-service/fragment'),
axios.get('http://footer-service/fragment')
]);
const html = `
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
${header.data}
${content.data}
${footer.data}
</body>
</html>
`;
res.send(html);
} catch (error) {
res.status(500).send('Composition failed');
}
}
}
Asset sharing requires careful coordination of shared resources:
// shared-config.js
module.exports = {
design: {
colors: {
primary: '#007bff',
secondary: '#6c757d'
},
typography: {
fontFamily: 'Arial, sans-serif',
fontSize: '16px'
}
},
utils: {
formatDate: (date) => new Intl.DateTimeFormat().format(date),
formatCurrency: (amount) => new Intl.NumberFormat().format(amount)
}
};
Each architecture brings specific benefits and challenges. Module Federation excels in development efficiency but requires careful dependency management. Web Components offer excellent isolation but may need additional work for cross-browser compatibility. iFrames provide the strongest isolation but can impact performance and user experience.
Client-side composition offers flexibility but increases browser load. Server-side composition improves initial load times but requires more complex server infrastructure. Asset sharing maintains consistency but needs careful version management.
I recommend starting with Module Federation for most applications, as it provides a good balance of flexibility and complexity. However, the choice depends on specific requirements, team structure, and technical constraints.
The success of micro-frontend implementation relies on clear team boundaries, well-defined interfaces, and robust deployment processes. Regular evaluation and adjustment of the chosen architecture ensure long-term sustainability and scalability.
Monitoring and performance optimization become crucial with micro-frontends. Implement comprehensive monitoring:
class PerformanceMonitor {
constructor() {
this.metrics = {};
}
measure(name, startTime) {
const duration = performance.now() - startTime;
this.metrics[name] = duration;
}
report() {
console.table(this.metrics);
}
}
These architectural patterns continue to evolve with web technologies. Regular assessment of new tools and approaches helps maintain modern, efficient applications while addressing growing complexity in frontend development.
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