Trello REST API Compression?

Question

Hi, I was wondering if there are any options to enable response data compression? I know there is various ways to reduce what data comes back, but due to the nature of the data, it would benefit hugely in payload size if compression was used (assuming the servers can compress the data fast enough)... Has this already been considered or hidden as an option somewhere?

unknown · Answer

I found JRASERER-27378 from a decade ago, where someone requested having the REST API of Jira Server support compressed responses. A total of 2 whole people in the world ever watched that issue and not a single other person said they were affected by it.

So, given that not a single other person on the planet was interested in Atlassian's primary, corporate level issue management platform having that functionality, and Atlassian closed the feature request due to lack of interest, what do you think the chances are Atlassian will expend the time, money and effort to add that functionality to the REST API of Trello, their basic, 'entry level' issue management platform?

Only thing that would be against it would be if the API Server have too high memory or CPU usage to deal with the compressing of the data.

You probably have your answer right there. Increased CPU load incurs a measurable cost increase for Atlassian. Plus, there are sometimes issues with handling compressed data through proxies and gateways, plus the processing overhead of decompressing the data stream on the receiving end. The sums probably just don't add up for an environment like Trello and the user expectations.

Anyhow, enough of the tete-a-tete and me rationalising my opinions. You're welcome to keep beating your drum as loudly as you want :)

Rasmus Wulff Jensen · Answer

Why settle for 5 seconds when it with a "tiny" thing like a compression tweak it might take 2-3 seconds and a better user experience... And save Trello the egress... Only thing that would be against it would be if the API Server have too high memory or CPU usage to deal with the compressing of the data.

unknown · Answer

I regularly get batches of 1,000 cards, with all the fields, from various Trello instances. With a decent connection to the internet, it takes less than 5 seconds. That's 5 WHOLE SECONDS Rasmus for the largest query and pure JSON response scenario you are describing.

Personally, at those time scales, the whole topic of caring about the payload size becomes a moot point for me, but if you feel the need to press on, raise it as a feature request.

Have fun.