Provider Architecture

Introduction

MemberJunction’s provider architecture is a fundamental aspect of its design, offering a flexible and efficient way to access and manage data. This architecture allows for seamless integration with different data sources, making it a powerful tool for developers working with diverse datasets.

Provider Architecture Overview

The provider architecture in MemberJunction is an innovative approach that allows swapping different implementations of data management functionalities under the hood. This design enables developers to access and manipulate data without needing to understand the intricacies of various data retrieval methods, such as SQL queries or API calls. This abstraction layer significantly simplifies the development process, making it more efficient and less error-prone.

Key Features

• Run View Object: A central component of the provider architecture, the Run view object, allows developers to execute queries in a straightforward manner. This object can run what is known as a view, essentially a query against a specific type of entity, representing the underlying tables in the database.
• Base Entity Object: Another key component of the architecture, much like the Run View object, the BaseEntity provides a mechanism for handling CRUD operations in a generic way.
• Insulation from Complexity: When using the Run view object, developers don’t need to know whether their code is running on the server or in a client environment. This abstraction provides a consistent developer experience across different platforms and simplifies the development process.
• Unified Programming Model: The provider architecture is built natively in TypeScript, offering a unified and strongly typed programming model that runs on any device. This approach allows developers to write code that is portable and robust, without worrying about the underlying network architecture or whether the code is server-side or client-side.

Current Providers

Currently, MemberJunction provides two standard providers:

1. GraphQL Data Provider: Used primarily in web environments, the GraphQL data provider is configured to communicate with the server API using GraphQL, facilitating data retrieval and management in web-based applications.
2. SQL Server Data Provider: This provider is suitable for situations where it makes sense to connect directly to a SQL Server database. It allows for efficient management and querying of SQL Server data.

Extensibility and Future Enhancements

While MemberJunction currently offers these two providers, the architecture is designed with extensibility in mind. It’s possible to create additional providers as needed. For example, developers can create a provider for a different database system or a unique API.

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However, it’s important to note that while creating custom providers is possible, most users will likely utilize the existing GraphQL and SQL Server providers for the foreseeable future.

The current providers cover a wide range of use cases and offer robust functionality for most applications.

Conclusion

MemberJunction’s provider architecture presents a significant advantage for developers, offering a versatile and straightforward way to interact with different data sources. It streamlines the development process, enabling the creation of more robust, portable, and scalable applications. As MemberJunction evolves, the potential for adding more providers will further enhance its versatility and appeal to a broader range of developers and use cases.