March 2023 Summaries

The author discusses their experimentation with GPT-generated filters using the custom, open-source syntax "simple-json-match" for Hookdeck connection filters. They found that GPT could write these filters faster than they ever could and developed a production-ready feature within 4 hours. By providing context through system prompts and sample data, the model's output quality dramatically increased. The author also highlights the importance of preventing accidents by parsing responses into JSON before returning them to clients. Overall, this experiment showcases the potential for AI-generated filters in building better developer products.

Kafka and Hookdeck are two queueing options for implementing asynchronous processing and event-driven architectures. While Kafka is highly distributed and scalable with reliable fault-tolerant features, it may not be the best choice if quick time to value on webhook integrations and management is needed. On the other hand, Hookdeck provides a message queue that asynchronously processes webhooks by ingesting webhook requests from your SaaS applications and distributing them to your callback endpoint based on the load your API can handle. Kafka may be an overkill for working with webhooks, while Hookdeck is built specifically for webhooks and offers features like retry (manual and automatic), webhook delivery throttling, webhook payload transformations, and webhook trace monitoring. Ultimately, the choice between Kafka and Hookdeck depends on the specific requirements of your infrastructure and use case.