【Overseas Event Introduction】Developing Fast at Scale: How to Maximize the Netlify Workflow

Netlify Functions

The first speaker introduced Netlify Functions.

 

The API that we want to call on our development site is diverse.

When each API is managed separately, the following problems may arise.

 

Impair productivity

It takes an average of 23 minutes to regain the original productivity when the focus is diverted from the current task.
When thinking about API settings and specifications, thoughts about the intended functionality are hindered, resulting in decreased productivity.

 

Monitoring will be postponed

It is important to check if it is working correctly, but it is often put off because it is not the actual operation itself. It is not uncommon for it to be left as it is because it is troublesome.

 

Dependency on DevOps Team

If it takes time for the backend or DevOps team to prepare the function, it becomes a bottleneck.

 

Testing becomes complicated

Even when developing in a local environment, it is necessary to set up a separate environment to test the API, and you must wait for the time it takes to launch.

 

So, what are the advantages of using Netlify Functions?

 

Consistent Workflow

The development team performs the same flow from building, previewing, to deploying from a single repository.

 

Monitoring and Log Management

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

 

Liberation from DevOps and infrastructure maintenance

Backend and infrastructure will be handled by Netlify.

 

Local Environment Support

You can also 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

Notify via Slack or email when deployment fails, and catch events that occur on the platform.

 

On-Demand Builders

Build on demand
For example, generating a web page when a user tries to view it

 

Scheduled Functions

Scheduled Time

Netlify Graph

The next speaker introduced Netlify Graph.

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

 

GraphQL is one of the formats used to reduce unnecessary data calls, in simple terms.

 

First of all, the reason why so much can be accomplished with Jamstack is because of the abundance of APIs.

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

 

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

Furthermore, even if you have put in the effort to learn how to use it, it is not easy to convey that knowledge to team members in large-scale development.

 

At Netlify, we wanted to solve the overhead of using those complex APIs.

And, after delving into these APIs, we have come to the conclusion that they can be summarized into the following three functions.

 

Data

Data reading and writing, etc.

 

Action

Sending emails, executing payments, etc.

 

Notification

Data update completed, payment completed, etc.

 

Netlify Graph is a tool that applies various APIs to these three use cases and makes them available as GraphQL.

 

 

・Demo: Salesforce API

 

A demo was demonstrated on how to retrieve data from Salesforce's API.

 

It may take several days to several months to fully understand and be able to use Saleforce's highly complex and multifunctional API.

However, with Netlify Graph, it was possible to easily retrieve the data for the above use case, taking only a few minutes.

 

Integrated with development environment.

The code to retrieve data from the specified GraphQL will be automatically generated using Netlify's mechanism.

Auto-completion of generated GraphQL data structures also eliminates the need to manually check the names of child nodes.

Netlify Deploy Preview

The final speaker spoke about ways to improve inefficient communication in the development field.

 

In order to complete the product, feedback from members who are not familiar with technology is also necessary.

However, the following problems will inevitably occur.

 

Delay

Known feedback is received during the difficult development phase when it becomes difficult to make corrections.

 

Variation in Methods

Email, Slack, phone, and other forms of feedback are all different formats.

 

Lack of Information

Lack of information such as browser information and screenshots can save unnecessary time.

 

The feature of Deploy Previews is what solves these problems.

 

Netlify provides a feature with a toolbar attached to the deployment preview screen.

You can record and take screenshots, and freely write comments on them. The browser information will also be automatically collected and recorded.

 

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

Summary

The high precision of crushing the pain points that developers who start with ideal in Jamstack stumble upon. My honest impression is "amazing!"

 

All functions are designed to address the problems faced by developers, and they are all things that developers want to use from their perspective.

 

"I tried dabbling in Jamstack. But, it's still a hassle..." say the developers who end up quitting.

Netlify, a leading company in the industry, may become the mainstream development method as it addresses pain points for developers in this way, making Jamstack an attractive development approach.

 

Thank you for reading until the end.

 

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If you are interested, please 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