The document discusses the concept of content as a service with a focus on decoupled WordPress using WP-CLI. It highlights the differences between monolithic and microservices architecture, exploring various decoupling strategies for WordPress that enhance flexibility and developer satisfaction. Key themes include the benefits of using APIs, the potential for hybrid applications, and the importance of future-proofing content management systems.

2. CONTENT AS A SERVICE:
DECOUPLED WORDPRESS
WITH WP-CLI

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Speakers
Josh Koenig
Co-Founder & Head of Product
@outlandishjosh

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Monoliths vs. Microservices
Monolith
Templates & Themes
Display Logic
Editorial UI
Admin UI
VS.
Decoupled

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Monolithic Architecture
mon·o·lith
ˈmänəәˌliTH/
noun
1.a large single upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or serving as a pillar or
monument.
• synonyms: standing stone, menhir, megalith, sarsen (stone)
• "no one knows for sure who erected these monoliths and why”
• a very large and characterless building.
• "the 72-story monolith overlooking the waterfront”
• a large block of concrete sunk in water, e.g., in the building of a dock.
2.a large and impersonal political, corporate, or social structure regarded as intractably
indivisible and uniform.
• "the dominance of broadcasting monoliths limits local programming"

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The Limits of the Theme Layer as Architecture
Theme Layer
Plugins / Core
Permeable
Boundary
Exciting / awkward
game of chance

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Monoliths Can Lead to Unhappy Developers

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Strong Separation of Concerns
Client
WordPress
HTTP API
Everyone Wins

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Use the Tools You Prefer

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Parallel Track Progress

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Future Proofing

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Caveats

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HTTP: Do you speak it?
Hur De Flur Shiffen de
PUT Dur Skurf Nerf CURL we
Flu Pur OPTIONS me
Skupplen de Noff

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No, seriously… HTTP
source: https://github.com/inhabitedtype/ocaml-webmachine

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WordPress Does a Lot of Things

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Primary Use-Case: Custom Sites/Apps
Source: 2014 State of the Word

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WP-API Can Grow the WP Market

18. MANY WAYS OF DECOUPLING
Which is right for you?

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Static Generator / Renderer
•
CMS
Static
Site
User
Request
Static
• Create a fast and resilient
user-facing site.
• Utilize front-end atomic
design tools, minimal/elegant
markup, etc.
• Read-only, but highly secure
and scalabe.

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Hybrid
•
CMS
Static
Site
User
Request
Static
• Build up a REST API on your
site to power dynamic forms/
dashboards.
• Many other functions served
directly from Drupal as per
normal.
• Restrains the scope. Allows
for particular experiences to
be enhanced.
•
CMS
JS App
User
Request
Hybrid

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“Single Page” App
•
CMS
Static
Site
User
Request
Static
• Client side JavaScript
application runs in-browser,
pulls data from CMS via API.
• May include user interactions,
or be purely content oriented.
• Typically utilize a front-end
framework like Angular,
Backbone, or React.
•
CMS
Single
Page App
User
Request
Single Page

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Native Mobile App / IoT
•
CMS
Static
Site
User
Request
Static
• CMS powers embedded
applications via API.
• May also present some web
functionality to users.
• Drive IOS and Android native
apps, as well as “internet of
things” implementations.
•
CMS
Native
Mobile
App
User
Request
Native
(optional)

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CMS-on-CMS
•
CMS
Static
Site
User
Request
Static
• Separation of concerns, but
not technologies.
• Front-end CMS can control
configuration, caching,
throttling.
• Develop reusable
components for a Service-
Oriented / Microservices
architecture.
CMS
User
Request
CMS2
CMS

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Everything Old is New Again

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Thanks!
Thanks! Questions?
http://wclax.reviews/
@outlandishjosh