What is gRPC?
A high-performance communication protocol for connecting services, using a compact binary format instead of text.
Why It Matters
gRPC is faster and more efficient than REST for service-to-service communication, especially in microservices.
Real-World Example
Internal microservices using gRPC to communicate quickly, while the public API uses REST for broader compatibility.
“Understanding terms like gRPC matters because it helps you have better conversations with developers and make smarter decisions about your software. You do not need to be technical. You just need to know enough to ask the right questions.”
Related Terms
REST API
A standard way to design APIs that uses simple web addresses and common actions like GET (read) and POST (create)
Microservices
An architecture where an application is built as many small, independent services that work together
API
A way for different software applications to talk to each other and share data
GraphQL
An alternative to REST APIs that lets you request exactly the data you need in a single call
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Related Terms
API
A way for different software applications to talk to each other and share data
REST API
A standard way to design APIs that uses simple web addresses and common actions like GET (read) and POST (create)
GraphQL
An alternative to REST APIs that lets you request exactly the data you need in a single call
Microservices
An architecture where an application is built as many small, independent services that work together
Webhook
An automatic notification that one app sends to another when something happens
Endpoint
A specific URL where your API receives requests and sends responses