The Fall and Rise of Embedded Plugins: IFrames - the Default Choice for Embedded Integration Design

Embedded integration frameworks, particularly those utilizing iframes, have evolved significantly from their early days, where they were primarily used to display third-party content within platforms like iGoogle and Facebook Canvas. Despite the emergence of newer integration methods, iframes remain a popular choice due to their straightforward nature and adaptability, provided they are implemented with careful consideration of design, user experience, and security. The article emphasizes the importance of establishing design guidelines over strict rules to enhance user experience while allowing for flexibility in integration. It highlights the challenges of iframe integrations, including the need for maintaining security through measures like CORS, sandbox attributes, and SSL, and discusses the role of design principles in ensuring a seamless integration that complements the host platform. Various platforms, such as Trello and Google Drive, are noted for their strategic use of iframes to offer meaningful user experiences, while Shopify exemplifies a successful framework by providing developers with tools that facilitate consistent UI development in line with platform branding.