Overview
The article discusses the implementation of render models at LinkedIn, which centralizes business logic on the server to enhance the efficiency and consistency of client applications. It contrasts traditional data modeling with render modeling, highlighting the benefits of a thinner client-side logic and faster feature delivery.
What You'll Learn
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How to implement render models to centralize business logic on the server
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Why render models enable faster feature delivery and consistency in UI
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When to choose render models over traditional data models for UI rendering
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Understanding of API modeling and client-server architecture
Key Questions Answered
What are render models and how do they differ from data models?
Render models are an API modeling strategy where the server returns data that describes the view to be rendered, reducing client-side business logic. In contrast, data models focus on raw data needed for clients to render views, often leading to complex client-side logic.
How do render models improve client-side performance?
Render models centralize business logic on the server, allowing clients to focus on displaying content rather than transforming data. This results in a thinner client-side layer, enabling faster iterations and reducing the need for client updates when changes are made.
What are the tradeoffs of using render models?
While render models simplify client-side logic and enhance consistency, they can complicate API reusability if multiple UIs are backed by the same data. Changes to the UI may require updates to both client and server code, increasing implementation costs.
Key Actionable Insights
1Implement render models to streamline your UI development process by centralizing business logic on the server.This approach reduces the complexity of client applications, allowing for faster iterations and a more consistent user experience across different platforms.
2Utilize semantic tokens for theming and layout in your render models to maintain flexibility across different client applications.By referencing design properties with semantic tokens, you enable clients to adapt to various display settings without needing new render models from the server.
3Consider the specific use cases of your application when deciding between render models and traditional data models.Render models are ideal for applications with consistent UI layouts and multiple backend entities that share similar visual representations.
Common Pitfalls
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Assuming that render models can handle all types of UI interactions without additional client-side logic.
Render models may not be suitable for complex UI interactions that require specific client-side business logic, leading to potential inconsistencies in user experience.
Related Concepts
API Modeling
Client-server Architecture
Data Modeling
User Interface Design