Workshop 6 - Building Complex Backends

Workshop Topics

• Building Complex Backends
  This workshop introduces the principles of building robust, scalable backends used in industry. We’ll discuss architectural patterns, database management, and authentication.

  • Industry-Grade Backends:

    • Overview of complex backend systems using a simple architectural diagram.
    • Key components of industry-standard backend designs:
      • APIs: Load balancing, rate limiting, and gateways.
      • Data storage strategies: Caching with Redis, BLOB storage, and replication with multiple databases.
      • Microservices: The importance of separating concerns for scalability.
      • CDNs: Mentioned briefly for context (but not covered in detail).

  • Complex Databases:

    • Working with multiple tables, SQL joins, and grouping.
    • The importance of indexing for performance optimization.
    • ORMs (Object-Relational Mappers):
      • What they are and why they are useful.
      • Overview of common ORMs, with a focus on Supabase.
      • Demo: Using Supabase ORM to perform a SQL join.

  • Authentication:

    • Differentiating between authentication (verifying identity) and authorization (verifying permissions).
    • API gateways and their role in secure authentication.
    • Techniques for securing user data:
      • Encryption, decryption, hashing, and salting.
      • Sessions and JWT tokens (including refresh tokens).
      • Role-based authentication.
      • OAuth for third-party authentication.
    • Why using existing authentication services simplifies implementation:
      • Services like AWS Cognito, Firebase Auth, Supabase Auth, AuthJS, and Lucia Auth.
      • Demo: Implementing Supabase Auth for authentication.

Materials

Workshop recording	Slides	Homework
Link	Link	Assignment 6