Making Asynchronous API Calls in Spring Without Blocking Database Operations

Learn how to use Spring's @ Async to perform non-blocking API calls and store IDs in the database efficiently.
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Efficiently Making Asynchronous API Calls with Spring

In modern application development, particularly in Java Spring, asynchronous calls can help improve performance by allowing multiple operations to occur concurrently. However, handling tasks that depend on the results of these asynchronous calls, such as storing data in a database, can be quite tricky. This post addresses a common scenario where two API calls need to be made in an asynchronous manner, and both return unique IDs that must be stored together in the database without blocking threads.

The Challenge

Consider the following scenario:

You need to make two API calls where the first call's response is crucial for initiating the second call.

The application architecture employs Spring's @ Async feature to handle operations in a non-blocking way.

A primary challenge arises; storing the returned IDs in the database must not block the execution of the thread, simulating a seamless user experience.

Example Set-up

Here’s a simplified view of the classes you'll typically handle:

SecondAPICallService: Responsible for making the second API call.

FirstAPICallService: Manages the first API call and retrieves IDs to be stored.

DatabaseService: Handles interactions with the database.

Below is a breakdown of the proposed solution.

Crafting the Asynchronous API Call

Step 1: Making the Second API Call

Use the @ Async annotation to define the method for making the second API call. Within this method, create a CompletableFuture to handle the response asynchronously.

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Step 2: Handling Responses in FirstAPICallService

In your FirstAPICallService, set up the first API call and asynchronously initiate the second call. Instead of blocking the thread, register a callback function using thenAcceptAsync() to process the result when it's ready.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Configuring Asynchronous Support

To ensure that your application can handle asynchronous calls effectively, configure an Executor in your Spring application:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Points to Remember

Non-blocking Operations: Use CompletableFuture to manage asynchronous operations without blocking the code.

Callback Mechanism: Handle results post-retrieval using thenAcceptAsync(), allowing continued execution.

Spring Configuration: Properly configure Spring's asynchronous features for better performance.

Conclusion

By effectively utilizing Spring's @ Async feature combined with CompletableFuture, you can achieve non-blocking API calls and ensure that your application remains responsive. This approach allows you to perform multiple API interactions while efficiently managing database interactions without causing latency.

Incorporating these strategies into your Spring applications can lead to improved performance and user experience. Happy coding!