January 2023 Summaries

Isomorphic TypeScript APIs blur the lines between client and server, allowing developers to define API contracts on the server and infer client code through type inference. This approach enables immediate feedback during development, making full-stack development more productive. The term "isomorphic" is inspired by the JavaScript and React.js community, where it describes applications that use the same code to render on both the client and server. Isomorphic TypeScript APIs allow for a seamless transition between client and server code, promoting type-safety and reducing errors. By leveraging TypeScript's `import type` statement, developers can share types between the client and server without importing server code, enabling a more efficient and scalable approach to API development.

WunderGraph is a Backend-for-Frontend tool that enables building serverless applications with GraphQL Live Queries. To create a scalable and real-time chat app, developers can use Next.js as the frontend framework, Fauna as the database, and WunderGraph to manage data dependencies and operations. The application uses GitHub sign-ins for authentication, and NextAuth handles authorization. The chat window is built using WunderGraph's Live Query feature, which reduces server load and network traffic compared to client-side polling. By following the step-by-step guide, developers can create a powerful combination of technologies to build real-time interactive chat experiences.

We're hiring! WunderGraph is looking for Golang (Go) Developers, DevOps Engineers and Solution Architects to help shape the future of Microservices, distributed systems, and APIs. By working at WunderGraph, you'll have the opportunity to build the next generation of API and Microservices infrastructure, with a customer base ranging from small startups to well-known enterprises. The company is applying the "build in public" principle to its building process, sharing challenges and experiences through weekly show & tell video sessions and a YouTube channel, where new episodes will be released roughly every week, covering topics such as hiring horrors, fundraising fun, war zone work, and coordination challenges.

When a valued employee resigns from a company, it can be perceived as a negative event, but it also presents opportunities for growth and improvement. The key is to view the resignation as a chance to learn and improve, rather than taking it personally. A well-structured exit process, including gathering information on what led up to the resignation, analyzing drivers and triggers, and implementing changes to address them, can help retain existing talent, become a more attractive employer, set right misconceptions in the company, and grow as a leader. Good communication and transparency are also crucial in managing the situation effectively. By adopting this mindset and taking proactive steps, companies can turn a negative event into a positive opportunity for growth and improvement.

Next.js 13 introduces several bleeding-edge features, including the app directory, Streaming, Suspense, and hybrid Server and Client Components. These features make building the next generation of web applications more intuitive for developers. Next.js 13's app directory follows a folder-based hierarchy, allowing for nested layouts and improved routing flexibility. The new architecture also enables progressive adoption, allowing developers to upgrade from previous versions of Next.js while maintaining compatibility with existing codebases. Streaming SSR allows for immediate rendering of UI components without waiting for all data to be fetched, reducing TTFB and FCP times. Suspense boundaries can be defined manually for granular control over data-aware UI components. WunderGraph acts as an API gateway and Backend-for-Frontend, providing end-to-end typesafety and a consistent developer experience. Next.js 13 is still in beta, but its features are incredibly useful for building user-friendly and accessible applications.

The new React Query client is a powerful data fetching library built on top of TanStack React Query, allowing developers to consume WunderGraph queries, mutations, and subscriptions with a typesafe API. The client offers features such as conditionally fetching data, building real-time apps with subscriptions, and invalidating queries. It provides an easy-to-use API for optimistic updates, similar to the SWR integration, which can be used in React applications. The client currently supports React but is planned to add support for other frameworks like Vue, Solid.js, and Svelte in the future.