gRPC uses Protocol Buffers for efficient serialization. Binary format reduces payload size. Strong typing prevents interface mismatches. Streaming supports bidirectional communication.
Protocol Buffers
Define services and messages in .proto files. Generate client and server code automatically. Backward compatibility through field numbering. Efficient binary serialization.
- Define services in .proto files with clear contracts
- Generate code for your target languages
- Use streaming for large data or real-time updates
- Implement proper error handling with status codes
- Version APIs by adding fields, never removing
When to Use gRPC
Internal service communication benefits most from gRPC. High-throughput scenarios leverage efficient serialization. Streaming requirements suit bidirectional support. Browser support requires gRPC-Web proxy.