Beyond gRPC: DRPC, Twirp, Connect and more

By Dmytro Lahoza

Elevator Pitch

Explore RPC protocols beyond gRPC! Join my talk for an in-depth comparison of gRPC, DRPC, Twirp, and Connect. Discover their applications, tooling, and the pros/cons of each. Find out why gRPC may not be the ideal choice and gain insights on selecting the right RPC protocol.

Description

Join this talk as we dive into the realm of RPC (Remote Procedure Call) protocols. In this session, I will conduct a comprehensive comparison of various RPC protocols, including gRPC, DRPC, Twirp and Connect.

We’ll start by examining the applications of each protocol and explore the tooling available around them. You’ll gain a deep understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and the scenarios in which they excel.

While gRPC has gained significant popularity in the Go ecosystem, we’ll take a closer look at why it may not always be the best choice, especially for browser applications. We’ll explore the challenges of using gRPC in browser environments, where compatibility issues can arise due to gRPC’s reliance on HTTP/2 and lack of native browser support.

Additionally, we’ll discuss how alternative RPC protocols address these challenges and provide seamless integration with browser applications. By understanding these limitations, you’ll be able to make informed decisions when selecting the most suitable RPC protocol for your web-based projects.

Furthermore, we’ll delve into another crucial consideration: the monitoring and debugging capabilities of RPC protocols. We’ll highlight the limitations of gRPC in terms of monitoring and debugging, including the lack of comprehensive tooling for request/response analysis and performance profiling.

Throughout the talk, I’ll examine real-world examples, share practical insights, and guide making informed decisions when it comes to RPC protocols. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the diverse landscape of RPC protocols effectively.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your understanding of RPC protocols and enhance your decision-making process. Join me and be part of the discussion on selecting the right RPC protocol for your projects.

Notes

This talk doesn’t require anything special except the proper presentation setup. There will be a demo that should work even without an internet connection.

I have extensive experience working with distributed systems. I’ve designed and developed a lot of them. Used SOAP, REST, gRPC and Twirp in heavy production.