Exploring Micro Frontends in Modern Web Development
Tags: webdev, frontend, microfrontend, softwarewdevelopment
Published: 2024-06-03 11:33:44

Ever struggled with the complexities of large web applications? Micro frontends could be your solution. They simplify the development of complex web applications by breaking them down into smaller, independent units. This method draws from microservices principles, allowing teams to develop, test, and deploy application parts individually. 

To help you understand, I will explore the concept and implementation of micro frontends. Read on.

## Introduction to Micro Frontends
Micro frontends are about extending the microservices idea to the frontend world. The strategy involves splitting a monolithic front-end into smaller, semi-independent units called "microapps." With these, different teams can develop and manage each unit, allowing for more agile updates and scalability.

To illustrate micro frontends, I will use single-spa in a demo shopping platform. 

## Project Structure
**Folder Structure** 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3orjhhi4jyg0u2x16a4r.png)

The above image shows a typical micro frontend architecture. It shows separate directories for each microapp, such as a login-app, shopping-app, and card-app. The root-app is the orchestrator, linking these apps into a unified interface. 

**Configuration and Initialization**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hrpjssqihoz47bzjs1us.png)
Here is  the technical setup of micro frontends. The code shows the configuration file in the root-app, detailing how each microapp is registered using single-spa. This setup allows each team to work independently on their microapp.

**Dynamic Routing and Layout Management**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/y02p56fkjx8c3t554ztt.png)
Route configuration is crucial for micro frontends. The displayed layout configuration file uses a single-spa-router to assign URLs to specific micro apps, enabling seamless navigation between application components. This approach minimizes load times and enhances user experience.

**Example of a Micro Frontend Implementation**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hkhiz81tbaei93hp9kdt.png)
This code snippet from the login-app showcases the implementation details of a micro frontend. It highlights how the React framework is utilized within this architecture. 

**Integrating and Launching Micro Frontends**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/lmke9v29t8mvqlptk6ps.png)
Integration is key in micro frontends. The index.ejs file configures the initial loading of the microapps and includes import maps that define where and how each microapp is loaded. This system supports hot-swapping of frontends without affecting the overall application.

**Visualization of an Operational Micro Frontend**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bcs8oshpxmtqatpx0kzf.png)
This image illustrates a fully operational login page, an example of a micro frontend in action. 

## Conclusion
Micro frontends enable teams to work independently on large web applications, improving scalability and allowing for innovation without affecting the overall application stability. Interested to learn more? Check out this article.