RPC (Remote Procedure Call)

In the software world, RPC (Remote Procedure Call) is a communication method that allows an application to call a function located on another system over a network as if it were part of its own codebase. It provides developers with a simpler, more readable, and more manageable structure for distributed systems.

What Is RPC?

RPC is a communication model between a client and a server. The client calls a function that is defined on a remote server. During this process, details such as network communication, data transfer, and response handling are largely hidden from the developer.

This approach is especially common in microservice architectures and service-based systems. RPC enables integration between different systems while reducing code complexity.

How Does RPC Work?

The core idea behind RPC is that a function call made on the client side is sent to the server, executed there, and the result is returned to the client. This process follows specific steps and is usually handled automatically in the background.

The general flow is as follows:

• The client sends the name of the function to be called along with the required parameters
• This request is transmitted to the server over the network
• The server executes the corresponding function
• The resulting output is sent back to the client

This structure allows developers to focus on business logic without dealing directly with networking details.

RPC Types and Approaches

RPC can be implemented using different approaches depending on system requirements. The choice of protocol and data format affects performance, flexibility, and ease of use.

Common RPC approaches include:

• Synchronous RPC: The client waits until a response is received. Preferred for simple scenarios
• Asynchronous RPC: The client continues execution without waiting for the response. Suitable for high-load and scalable systems
• Binary-based RPC: Data is transmitted in binary format, offering high performance
• Text-based RPC: Formats such as JSON are used, prioritizing readability

These approaches are selected based on the needs of the system.

Use Cases of RPC

RPC is used in many scenarios where different systems need to communicate quickly and in an organized manner. It plays a significant role in modern software architectures.

Common use cases include:

• Communication between microservices
• Distributed systems
• Cloud-based applications
• Game server and client architectures

In these scenarios, RPC provides advantages in terms of performance and developer experience.

Advantages and Limitations of RPC

When used correctly, RPC is a powerful solution, but it may not be ideal for every architecture. Therefore, its advantages and limitations should be evaluated together.

Key advantages include:

• Simple and intuitive usage for developers
• A structure that reduces code duplication
• Performance-oriented communication

On the other hand, dependency on the network and poorly designed error handling can introduce complexity.

RPC is one of the fundamental approaches that enables effective communication between different components in distributed systems. When used with the right architecture and proper requirement analysis, it significantly improves both performance and maintainability in software projects.