YouTube video: https://youtu.be/K4_cgtAe4HM?si=FMNF1VNRmLyBSKN3

Introduction

What is RPC?

RPC stands for Remote Procedure Call, a foundational communication protocol in distributed computing. It allows a program to invoke a function on another machine as though it were a local call, abstracting complicated networking details.

"99% of developers do not even know what an RPC is."

This guide will explain:

• The concept and mechanics of RPC
• How RPC compares to REST APIs
• Why many internal systems prefer RPC protocols like gRPC
• Practical benefits and use cases of RPC in modern architectures

1. What Is RPC?

Definition:

RPC lets programs execute methods on remote systems using a familiar function call interface.

Key characteristics:

• Abstracts networking complexity: message formatting, data encoding/decoding, transport
• Uses stubs or proxies generated from a shared interface contract (IDL - Interface Definition Language)
• Supports a client-server architecture: client calls, server implements

How RPC works:

1. Client calls a local stub function.