I am creating a simple Chrome extension that calls Rapid API to retrieve information on nearby music events and then displays them in a list format. As a beginner, I’m curious if developing this extension would require any back end or server-side programming, or if everything can be handled on the client side. I appreciate any advice or insights on whether a back end is truly needed for this project. Thank you for your assistance!
you dont really need a backend if its just for showing events. but expsing your apikey directly isnt the best idea; even a small middlware server can help keep it secure.
Based on my experience developing similar extensions, it is possible to build a Chrome extension that only uses client side code to call APIs like Rapid API for fetching event data. However, it is important to note that exposing your API key directly within the extension might result in potential abuse and security vulnerabilities. A lightweight backend or middleware layer can be implemented to securely handle requests and protect sensitive information. For a production environment, this additional step increases your security profile, although for learning or proof of concept projects, you might choose to bypass a backend.
In my past projects with Chrome extensions, I initially tried a pure client-side approach to fetch data from APIs like Rapid API. I soon discovered that while it simplified development, it also exposed sensitive information like API keys, making the extension vulnerable to misuse. For one project, I quickly switched to using a minimal backend, which not only secured my credentials but also allowed more control over request handling and error logging. Although handling everything on the client side might be acceptable for prototypes, incorporating a backend adds a useful layer of security and flexibility which is especially important in production.