Requirements for Modern Event-Based Architecture
Modern data platforms require event handling capabilities to avoid becoming isolated silos. The event layer must enable external systems to push information in, allow internal modules to coordinate loosely, and let downstream systems consume changes naturally. However, adding event handling shouldn’t introduce new complexity, vendor lock-in, or additional data silos.
Core Requirements
Section titled “Core Requirements”A modern event handling solution must satisfy two fundamental needs: intuitive workflow definition and flexible execution.
Visual Workflow Designer
Section titled “Visual Workflow Designer”The system needs a drag-and-drop designer that allows defining event handling without code. This designer should be built on proven UI frameworks like React Flow and modern component libraries, enabling users to visually construct event flows while maintaining the ability to extend functionality through code when needed.
Pluggable Execution Engine
Section titled “Pluggable Execution Engine”The execution engine must support multiple durable execution services as backends, similar to how modern frameworks support different deployment targets. Workflows are defined as JSON-serializable directed acyclic graphs, making them portable, version-controllable, and independent of any specific execution provider.
Architectural Principles
Section titled “Architectural Principles”Headless and Persistence-Agnostic — The system must work with any database and persistence layer. The host application retains full control over data storage, preventing the event handling layer from creating yet another data silo.
Easy Integration — The solution should integrate seamlessly into existing UI frameworks and design systems, requiring minimal adaptation to fit into the host application’s look and feel.
Extensible Through Code — While the visual designer handles common cases, custom actions and integrations must be easily definable in code, giving developers full control when needed.
Copy and Own — Following principles from modern component libraries, developers should be able to copy and customize the code rather than being locked into a rigid framework.
Permissive Licensing — An open license like Apache 2.0 ensures the solution can be adopted without legal or business constraints.
Integration Philosophy
Section titled “Integration Philosophy”The event handling layer should feel like a natural extension of the platform rather than a bolt-on service. It adopts the data platform’s existing persistence mechanisms, respects its security model, and integrates with its UI framework. This approach ensures that event handling enhances the platform’s capabilities without fragmenting the architecture or creating operational overhead.
By meeting these requirements, an event handling solution transforms a database-centric platform into a living participant in the organization’s information ecosystem while maintaining architectural coherence and avoiding vendor lock-in.