ElixirConf 2023 - Nicholas Scheurich - Conversational Web APIs with Phoenix Channels

Learn how Phoenix Channels empower real-time bi-directional communication between clients and servers for complex, conversational web APIs, and discover the benefits and limitations of this approach.

Key takeaways
  • The key to conversational web APIs is the dispatch pattern, which allows for complex interactions between clients and servers.
  • Traditional REST APIs are limited to a request-response cycle, whereas conversational APIs allow for multiple requests and responses to be sent and received in a conversation.
  • Phoenix Channels is a framework for building conversational web APIs that allows for real-time bi-directional communication between clients and servers.
  • Channels are a way to manage complexity in a system by dividing it into smaller, independent components that communicate with each other.
  • When building a conversational API, it’s important to consider the context of the conversation and ensure that the server is able to keep track of the state of the conversation.
  • Using channels can simplify the process of handling multiple requests and responses, as it allows the server to handle multiple requests concurrently.
  • It’s important to consider the limitations of traditional REST APIs and how they may not be suitable for complex, real-time interactions.
  • Phoenix Channels can be used to build a wide range of applications, from simple chat applications to complex enterprise systems.
  • The dispatch pattern can be used to handle complex logic and business rules in a conversational API.
  • It’s important to consider the trade-offs between traditional REST APIs and conversational APIs when deciding which approach to use.
  • Using channels can improve the performance and scalability of an application by reducing the number of HTTP requests.
  • It’s important to consider the security implications of using channels and ensure that the channel is properly secured.
  • Phoenix Channels can be used to build a wide range of mobile and web applications.
  • The dispatch pattern can be used to handle complex logic and business rules in a conversational API.
  • It’s important to consider the limitations of traditional REST APIs and how they may not be suitable for complex, real-time interactions.
  • Phoenix Channels can be used to build a wide range of applications, from simple chat applications to complex enterprise systems.