Proxy, reverse proxy, API gateway, load balancer - what is it all about? Learn the basics
The article discusses the differences between gateways and proxies in the context of application architecture. The author explains that gateways are usually the first point of contact for external requests, which are then routed to the appropriate services. In contrast, proxy servers act as intermediaries for requests between the client and server, allowing for various operations such as caching and authentication. The article also provides examples of use cases for both tools and outlines their key advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, the author emphasizes the importance of choosing the right component based on the needs of the system architecture. The article serves as an excellent introduction to the topic for beginner developers and system architects looking to better understand the differences and applications of gateways and proxy servers in modern cloud environments.