How do I handle typed URL parameters in Siesta?

Siesta provides utilities similar to Go's flag package for typed URL parameters. You can define parameters with specific types in routes and parse them automatically, as demonstrated in the params example in the repository.

Siesta vs Gin for Go HTTP handlers?

Siesta emphasizes composable handlers with uniform signatures and context passing, ideal for clean architecture. Gin offers more features out-of-the-box like JSON binding and performance optimizations, but with less focus on handler uniformity.

How to add authentication middleware in Siesta?

Since Siesta treats middleware as handlers, you can create an authentication function that checks credentials and sets user data in the Context, then compose it with other handlers using siesta.Compose for reusable logic.

Is Siesta good for building REST APIs?

Yes, Siesta's flexible routing and context passing make it suitable for REST APIs, allowing clean separation of concerns. However, you'll need to handle aspects like JSON serialization and validation separately or with external libraries.

What are the main alternatives to Siesta for composable Go handlers?

Alternatives include Echo for a balanced feature set, or using the standard net/http with libraries like Gorilla Mux for routing. Siesta is unique for its philosophy of uniform middleware and handler signatures.

Can I use existing http.Handler functions with Siesta?

Yes, Siesta's Service.Route accepts standard http.Handler types, allowing seamless integration of legacy handlers without modification, as shown in the simple example with a basic handler.

Siesta — Composable Go HTTP Framework

What is Siesta?

Siesta is a Go framework for building composable HTTP handlers. It provides a uniform approach to middleware and handlers, supporting typed URL parameters, context passing, and service-based routing to simplify the development of organized HTTP services.

Target Audience

Go developers building HTTP services or APIs who need a lightweight, composable framework for structuring middleware and handlers with type-safe routing.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Siesta for its emphasis on composition and simplicity, treating middleware and handlers uniformly with a single function signature, and for its utilities like typed URL parameters that enhance type safety over alternatives.

Composable framework for writing HTTP handlers in Go.

Use Cases

Best For

Building HTTP services in Go where middleware and handlers need to share the same function signature for consistency.
Organizing HTTP routing with service-based structures rooted at specific base URIs.
Passing contextual data (like timestamps or user information) through middleware chains using a shared Context.
Implementing type-safe URL parameters in routes, similar to Go's flag package.
Composing multiple handlers and middleware into single units using siesta.Compose for reusable logic.
Integrating existing http.Handler implementations with a composable framework without distinction from custom handlers.

Not Ideal For

Projects needing a full-stack web framework with built-in templating, database ORM, or session management.
Teams that require active community development and frequent feature updates, as Siesta's contribution model discourages new features.
Large-scale applications relying on extensive third-party middleware libraries, due to Siesta's smaller ecosystem compared to alternatives like Gin or Echo.
Use cases where minimal abstraction or zero-dependency is preferred, as Siesta adds its own layer over Go's standard net/http package.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Uniform Handler Composition

Middleware and handlers share the same function signature, enabling easy chaining with siesta.Compose, as shown in the simple example where timestamper and timeHandler are composed.

Type-Safe URL Parameters

Provides utilities similar to Go's flag package for managing typed route variables, reducing runtime errors in parameter parsing, referenced in the params example.

Efficient Context Passing

The Context argument allows data like timestamps to be passed through middleware chains, demonstrated in the timestamper handler that sets and retrieves values.

Service-Based Organization

Uses the Service type to structure middleware and handlers under a base URI, improving modularity and routing clarity, as seen in the main example.

Cons

Limited Development Activity

The README states that pull requests for new features are rejected, recommending forking instead, indicating potential stagnation and limited future enhancements.

Missing Built-in Features

Lacks common web framework features such as authentication helpers, input validation, or templating, requiring additional manual implementation or third-party libraries.

Smaller Ecosystem

Compared to popular frameworks like Gin or Echo, Siesta has fewer third-party middleware options and community tools, which can increase development overhead for complex needs.

What is Siesta?

Target Audience

Go developers building HTTP services or APIs who need a lightweight, composable framework for structuring middleware and handlers with type-safe routing.

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Building HTTP services in Go where middleware and handlers need to share the same function signature for consistency.
Organizing HTTP routing with service-based structures rooted at specific base URIs.
Passing contextual data (like timestamps or user information) through middleware chains using a shared Context.
Implementing type-safe URL parameters in routes, similar to Go's flag package.
Composing multiple handlers and middleware into single units using siesta.Compose for reusable logic.
Integrating existing http.Handler implementations with a composable framework without distinction from custom handlers.

Not Ideal For

Projects needing a full-stack web framework with built-in templating, database ORM, or session management.
Teams that require active community development and frequent feature updates, as Siesta's contribution model discourages new features.
Large-scale applications relying on extensive third-party middleware libraries, due to Siesta's smaller ecosystem compared to alternatives like Gin or Echo.
Use cases where minimal abstraction or zero-dependency is preferred, as Siesta adds its own layer over Go's standard net/http package.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Uniform Handler Composition

Middleware and handlers share the same function signature, enabling easy chaining with siesta.Compose, as shown in the simple example where timestamper and timeHandler are composed.

Type-Safe URL Parameters

Provides utilities similar to Go's flag package for managing typed route variables, reducing runtime errors in parameter parsing, referenced in the params example.

Efficient Context Passing

The Context argument allows data like timestamps to be passed through middleware chains, demonstrated in the timestamper handler that sets and retrieves values.

Service-Based Organization

Uses the Service type to structure middleware and handlers under a base URI, improving modularity and routing clarity, as seen in the main example.

Cons

Limited Development Activity

The README states that pull requests for new features are rejected, recommending forking instead, indicating potential stagnation and limited future enhancements.

Missing Built-in Features

Lacks common web framework features such as authentication helpers, input validation, or templating, requiring additional manual implementation or third-party libraries.

Smaller Ecosystem

Compared to popular frameworks like Gin or Echo, Siesta has fewer third-party middleware options and community tools, which can increase development overhead for complex needs.

Siesta

What is Siesta?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Siesta

What is Siesta?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?