— Dev, Architecture pattern, The Twelve-Factor App, English — 1 min read
Backing services are classified as any resources required by the app to fulfill
its functionalities. Typically accessed via a network or other locations stored
within the configuration. These services include databases, SMTP clients,
third-party integrations such as Amazon S3, Twitter, or Last.fm APIs,
and caching systems. These backing services are usually managed by the
individual responsible for deploying the app and its resources.
The Twelve-factor app doesn't differentiate between local and third-party services. For the app, both types of resources are accessed via URLs. Thus, swapping out a local resource, like a database, for one managed by a third party requires no code changes.
Resources can be attached to or detached from deployments at will. For instance, if a database malfunctions, the app's administrator might spin up a new database backup, detach the current database, and then restore the new database instance by requiring no code alterations.
This Twelve-Factor App post series is a means for me to consolidate the knowledge I've gained while studying these rules. Please feel free to visit the site for more detailed explanations. That's all folks!