2024-06-06 Frontend Working Group Meeting Notes: More module federation (OEP-0065)

 Date, time, location

 Discussion topic(s)

Module federation (OEP-0065)

🎥Recording

Please be advised: Frontend Working Group meetings are recorded and transcribed.

 Participants

  • Adolfo Brandes

  • Brayan Cerón

  • Brian Smith

  • Fox Piacenti

  • Hina Khadim

  • Jason Wesson

🤖 Summary

  1. David's Solution for Frontend Build Testing:

    • David discovered a method to ease the long-standing issue of testing MFEs with frontend builds.

    • Solution involves using local copies of frontend builds set as files and modifying Webpack loaders.

  2. Module Federation Implementation:

    • Discussion on the architecture and placement of OEP-0065 changes within the codebase.

    • Transition from single-page applications (SPAs) to module-based architecture using module federation.

    • Multiple options considered for transitioning, including incremental changes within the frontend app repo and separate build targets.

  3. Challenges with Current Approach:

    • Issues with requiring multiple PRs for changes across repos (modules and apps).

    • Exploring alternatives like mini monorepos or maintaining separate directories within a repo to ease development and deployment.

  4. Future Direction for Frontend Development:

    • Supporting both SPAs and module-based development simultaneously.

    • Potential solutions for maintaining consistency and ease of development while transitioning.

  5. Customizability and Compatibility Concerns:

    • Maintaining the ability to run MFEs independently.

    • Ensuring new changes are backward compatible.

    • Discussion on integrating front-end plugin framework (FPF) into new module federation architecture.

  6. Addressing Specific Issues and Development Needs:

    • Considerations for enterprise versus open-source implementations.

    • Handling forks and customizations within the module federation setup.

    • Integrating dependencies like front-end build and front-end platform in a modular approach.

  7. Next Steps and Action Items:

    • Awaiting David's ADRs (Architecture Decision Records) for further clarity.

    • Potential for a modularity summit to discuss and iron out implementation details.

    • Ensuring backward compatibility and ease of transition for developers.

Conclusion:
The meeting concluded with a consensus to explore incremental changes while maintaining backward compatibility and preparing for a larger modularity summit. The team will review David's ADRs and continue discussions on improving the frontend development process.

 Action items

 Decisions