🔗 The valley of webhooks

What happens when webhooks, which were meant to trigger side effects, are used to transfer data instead? The article dives into the complexities and pitfalls that arise from treating webhook notifications as a reliable means of data synchronization. The author recounts their experiences of building systems that rely on these notifications, highlighting the struggles with order, completeness, and verifiability. With an engaging narrative, it raises critical questions about the inherent limitations of webhooks for data replication and calls for a shift in how providers and consumers handle their data. The article suggests that providers could serve ordered change logs rather than relying on push notifications, ultimately leading to a more reliable and efficient system. It's a thought-provoking exploration of a common tech pattern that many have accepted as normal without questioning its foundational issues.

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This structured approach could transform how businesses manage data synchronization across platforms.