Developer experience in data access layer design

Abstract

The Data Access Layer is a common component in conventional backend software architecture. It is a vital abstraction layer enabling data fetching from a data store, usually a relational database, without the need to hand-write queries for every fetch operation. This thesis examines this layer from a Developer Experience viewpoint, with the goal of establishing practices that maximize developer experience in both interface consumption as well as maintenance and expansion. This is done with a design science method for a case study company, by creating a new data access layer solution prototype for their existing software product and evaluating it against their current solution. Based on the evaluation, it was concluded that for API consumption, autofill is the most important developer experience enhancing feature. Further research opportunities were also found regarding model conversion practices between database models and API models.