Introduction:
When it comes to building applications in JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, or web browsers that interact with Azure services, developers face a crucial decision. They can either utilize the Azure SDKs for JavaScript, providing a ready-made toolkit, or take a more hands-on approach by dealing directly with the REST APIs.
The Roots of Change:
The journey of this transformation traces back to the inception of SDKs for Node.js, designed to interact with Azure services using AutoRest. Initially, @azure/core-http served as a common reusable core for performing HTTP operations, eventually evolving with the addition of Azure-specific features through MS-rest-azure. Over time, the need for TypeScript support and isomorphic packages led to a significant overhaul, resulting in the creation of @azure/core-http.
Revamping the Core Stack: Addressing Technical Debt:
As the Azure SDKs continued to grow, accumulating technical debt became apparent, hindering maintainability and performance. In November 2018, an initiative to revamp the SDKs established guidelines for crafting them using TypeScript. This initiative birthed @azure/core-http, which, by version 1.0 in November 2020, revealed the need for a modern makeover. The goal was clear: eliminate unnecessary or outdated code, enhance maintainability, and lay down a robust foundation for future development.
The Vision Behind Core Stack Upgrade:
The upgrade had several key goals. First and foremost, making the request pipeline reusable outside of AutoRest-generated code was a priority. This would allow different client libraries and consumers to utilize the pipeline. Simplifying customization for these client libraries and consumers, optimizing performance, and enhancing memory efficiency were also critical objectives. Furthermore, the upgrade aimed to streamline integration with future improvements to the code generator.
Streamlining Customization with New Pipeline Design:
The old JS Core suffered from a complex and challenging request pipeline system, making customization at the library level cumbersome. The upgraded pipeline design addressed this weakness by providing a new abstraction, simplifying the application of ordered policies with minimal configuration. This overhaul aimed to make the customization process more straightforward and flexible, benefiting both library authors and end-users.
Unveiling the Enhanced Azure SDKs:
In the dynamic world of JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, and web browsers, seamless interaction with Azure services is paramount for developers. The recent overhaul of the Azure SDKs introduces a transformed core stack, promising a slew of improvements in performance, consistency, authentication, flexibility, and more. Let’s delve into the key enhancements that make the upgraded core stack a game-changer for developers.
Performance Boost:
The upgraded core stack brings a significant performance boost compared to its predecessor, @azure/core-http. Through rigorous testing, it has been proven to match or even surpass the previous performance in various scenarios. Notably, specific tests have showcased remarkable improvements, ensuring that your applications run smoothly and efficiently.
Consistency Across Languages in Azure SDK:
One of the standout features of the new core stack is its commitment to consistency. Now, Azure SDKs in different languages share a common core implementation. This standardization minimizes inconsistencies and enhances compatibility among SDKs and across various programming languages. Developers can expect a smoother experience when working with Azure services.
Enhanced Authentication Support:
Authentication is a critical aspect of interacting with Azure services, and the upgraded core stack takes it to the next level. It seamlessly integrates with the new Azure Identity library, offering a unified approach to authentication with diverse credentials and Azure services. This enhancement simplifies the authentication process, making it more user-friendly for developers.
Flexibility and Customization:
In the world of software development, flexibility is key. The new core stack is designed to be super flexible and open to customizations. Unlike its predecessor, @azure/core-http, the upgraded core stack allows for extensive customization, facilitating seamless integration with various Azure services. This flexibility empowers developers to tailor their solutions to specific needs.
Compact Bundle Size for Web Apps:
Web applications often face constraints in terms of storage and bandwidth. The new Azure REST-level client libraries are crafted with these considerations in mind. They boast a compact size of around 10 KB, making them lightweight and efficient. The shared runtime code among these libraries, facilitated by the core package named @azure-rest/core-client, ensures that adding more Azure REST libraries won’t significantly impact your app’s bundle size.
Additional Improvements:
Legacy Browser Support Dropped: To streamline bundled code, the new core stack no longer supports legacy web browsers. This decision contributes to a reduction in code size, improving overall efficiency.
Code Cleanup and Simplification:
Extensive code cleanup has been undertaken, eliminating unnecessary and outdated dependencies. The removal of portions of the API that are no longer within the scope of support contributes to a more streamlined and efficient codebase.
Enhanced Error Handling:
The upgraded core stack introduces improved error-handling mechanisms. Developers now benefit from more detailed and actionable error messages, providing increased transparency regarding underlying HTTP requests and responses.
Benchmarking for Performance Gains:
To validate the progress made, the performance of the new core stack was rigorously tested. The benchmarking scenario involved the “download blob scenario with SAS URL.” This test was conducted using the @azure/storage-blob SDK, @azure/core-http, and @azure/core-rest-pipeline, along with third-party libraries, showcased the impressive performance gains achieved by the upgraded core stack.
The Core Stack Evolution: Impact and Future in Azure SDKs for JavaScript
The recent upgrade to the core stack in Azure SDKs for JavaScript marks a significant milestone, introducing a more robust and reusable core that simplifies the development process for creating applications seamlessly interacting with Azure services. This blog explores the noteworthy performance enhancements, design flexibility, and extensibility offered by the new core stack, providing insights for developers using Azure SDKs for JS/TS. Upgrading to the latest version is emphasized to unlock the full potential of these improvements.
Key Impacts of the Core Stack Upgrade:
Robust and Reusable Core:
- The overhaul of the core stack results in a more robust and reusable core, streamlining the development workflow for applications interacting with Azure services. This enhancement lays a foundation for increased efficiency and ease of use for developers.
Performance Enhancements:
- The performance improvements introduced by the new core stack are particularly noteworthy, especially in scenarios where requests are not network-bound or do not involve extensive service processing. This optimization ensures that applications run smoothly and efficiently, contributing to an enhanced user experience.
Flexibility and Extensibility:
- The design of the new core stack reflects a commitment to flexibility and extensibility. Developers now have the versatility to tailor the core to meet specific requirements, providing a customizable framework for building applications. This adaptability ensures that developers can optimize their workflow based on individual project needs.
Seamless Integration for Developers:
- For developers utilizing Azure SDKs for JS/TS, leveraging the benefits of the core stack upgrade is straightforward. By upgrading Azure SDK dependencies to the “latest” version, developers gain access to the performance enhancements and novel features introduced in the new core stack. This seamless integration allows developers to stay current with the latest advancements in Azure SDKs.
Looking to the Future:
- The upgrade to the core stack in Azure SDKs for JavaScript not only addresses existing challenges but also sets the stage for future advancements. As Azure continues to evolve, developers can expect ongoing improvements and innovations that enhance the overall development experience.
Continuous Performance Optimization:
- The commitment to performance optimization is an ongoing effort. Developers can anticipate continuous enhancements to ensure that Azure SDKs for JS/TS remain at the forefront of efficiency, providing the best possible performance in various scenarios.
Expanded Feature Set of Azure SDK:
- The new core stack introduces a foundation for expanding the feature set of Azure SDKs. Future updates are likely to bring additional capabilities and functionalities, catering to the evolving needs of developers working with Azure services.
Community Collaboration:
- The development of Azure SDKs is a collaborative effort, involving feedback and contributions from the developer community. The upgrade to the core stack opens avenues for increased collaboration, as developers can actively participate in shaping the future of Azure SDKs through their insights and experiences.
Conclusion:
At fusionAIx, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of Azure development. Our deep understanding of the upgraded @azure/core-http and redesigned core stack ensures we consistently deliver robust Azure-powered solutions that drive measurable results. We prioritize streamlined workflows, performance optimization, and the flexibility to adapt in a constantly shifting technology landscape. Partnering with fusionAIx means gaining access to a team dedicated to empowering your success through cutting-edge Azure expertise.
