BFF-BACKEND-FOR-FRONTEND

Per-client-type dedicated backend.

Definition

BFF solves the dichotomy of a single backend serving web (rich, paginated) and mobile (limited, batched). Each BFF aggregates several backend services and adapts the response. Examples: Netflix Edge Services, SoundCloud BFFs, Spotify BFFs. GraphQL often used for BFFs.

Origin

Pattern formalised by Phil Calçado (SoundCloud) in 2015 ; popularised by Sam Newman in Building Microservices.

Example in context

Netflix uses BFF Edge Services: one BFF per device family (TV, mobile, web, gaming console).

Related terms

• Service mesh — underlying network.