[Overseas Event Introduction] Developing Fast at Scale: How to Maximize the Netlify Workflow

Netlify Functions

The first speaker introduced was Netlify Functions.

 

The APIs we want to call on the site under development are diverse.

If each API is managed separately, you will face issues like the following.

 

Compromise Productivity

When your thoughts drift from what you are currently focused on, it takes an average of 23 minutes to regain your original productivity.
When your mind turns to API settings and specifications, it hinders your thoughts about the functionality you were originally trying to achieve, diminishing your productivity.

 

Monitoring is postponed

It is important to check whether it is functioning correctly, but it is often postponed because it is not the operation itself. It is not uncommon for it to be left as is due to the hassle.

 

Dependency on the DevOps Team

If it takes time for the backend and DevOps teams to prepare the functions, it becomes a bottleneck.

 

Tests become complex

Even if you develop in a local environment, you need to set up a separate environment to test the API, and you have to wait for the time it takes to launch.

 

So, what advantages does using Netlify Functions offer?

 

Consistent Workflow

The development team follows the same flow from build, preview, to deployment from a single repository.

 

Monitoring and Log Management

Logs can be monitored in the Netlify UI, allowing for bulk management of usage and issues.

 

Liberation from DevOps and infrastructure maintenance

Netlify will handle the backend and infrastructure.

 

Local Environment Support

You can send requests to the API and test it from a local environment.

 

Types of Netlify Functions

 

Netlify Functions

Lambda in AWS

 

Background Functions

Asynchronous Lambda

 

Event Functions

A system that catches events occurring on the platform, such as notifying via Slack or email when a deployment fails.

 

On-Demand Builders

On-demand builds
For example, generating a web page when a user attempts to view the page

 

Scheduled Functions

Time-Specified Items

Netlify Graph

The next speaker introduced is Netlify Graph.

This is a system for generating GraphQL that was just announced in February of this year.

 

GraphQL is, simply put, one of the formats used to reduce the waste of data calls.

 

In the first place, the reason why so much can be achieved with Jamstack is that the APIs are well-developed.

For example, by calling the API, you can freely combine various services such as sending messages via SMS, payments, and authentication.

 

However, it takes many steps to master a single API. If you try to use another API, you will have to go through the same number of steps.

Furthermore, even if you have struggled to master how to use it, it is not easy to convey that know-how to team members in large-scale development.

 

Therefore, at Netlify, we wanted to solve the overhead until you can use those complex APIs.

And, upon further examination, we concluded that these APIs can be consolidated into the following three functions.

 

Data

Data reading and writing, etc.

 

Action

Sending emails, executing payments, etc.

 

Notification

Data update complete, payment complete, etc.

 

Netlify Graph applies various APIs to these three use cases, making them usable as GraphQL.

 

 

- Demo: Salesforce API

 

A demonstration was conducted on how to retrieve data from the Salesforce API.

 

Saleforce provides a multifunctional and highly complex API, so it usually takes several days to several months to understand it well enough to use it effectively.

However, it only took a few minutes to easily obtain the data applicable to the above use case with Netlify Graph.

 

It is also integrated with the development environment.

Code that automatically retrieves data from the specified GraphQL using the Netlify framework is generated.

The generated GraphQL data structure is also automatically completed, so you don't have to look up the names of child nodes one by one.

Netlify Deploy Preview

The last speaker talked about ways to improve inefficient communication in the development field.

 

Feedback from members who are not familiar with the technology is also necessary to complete the product.

However, the following issues are bound to occur.

 

Delay

Feedback is received after the late stages of development, making corrections difficult.

 

Variation in Methods

Feedback comes in various forms such as email, Slack, and phone.

 

Lack of Information

If you have browser information, screenshots, etc., you won't waste time due to lack of information.

 

The feature that solves these issues is Deploy Previews.

 

Netlify offers a feature with a toolbar on the deployment preview screen.

You can record and take screenshots, and freely write comments on them. Browser information is also automatically collected and recorded.

 

Fortunately, this feature allows you to invite as many people as you want for free.

Summary

The high level of precision in addressing the pain points that developers starting with ideals in Jamstack stumble upon. Honestly, my impression is "amazing!"

 

Each feature directly addresses the issues faced by developers, and they are all things that I would want to use from a developer's perspective.

 

Developers who try Jamstack but end up saying, 'It's too much trouble...' and quit.

Industry leader Netlify may be making Jamstack an attractive development method by addressing the pain points of developers.

 

Thank you for reading until the end.

 

Human Science Co., Ltd. provides solutions for web content and platforms using a unique combination of "document production know-how" and "the latest web development technology (Jamstack)" that is not available from other companies.

If you are interested, please feel free to contact us here!

 

Human Science Co., Ltd.

https://www.science.co.jp/document/jamstack.html

 

Source of this document: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr9wY2OcSSI