Chaining service interceptors is important because it enables a modular, ordered, and maintainable way to handle multiple layers of custom logic in ArcGIS Enterprise. Instead of placing all interception logic in a single interceptor, chaining allows each interceptor to handle a specific responsibility, ensuring that logic is executed in the correct sequence.
Key benefits of chaining include:
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Separation of concerns—Each interceptor can focus on a single task, for example, interceptor A can handle authorization, interceptor B can handle audit logging, and interceptor C can handle payload modification. This leads to cleaner, reusable, and testable code.
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Controlled execution Flow—The chaining order ensures that interceptors run in a predictable sequence. For example, an authentication interceptor should run before one that logs access or modifies the request payload.
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Flexibility in configuration—Administrators can change the order of execution without modifying the interceptor code by simply updating the chainingOrder configuration via the ArcGIS Server Admin API.
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Scalability for complex use cases—In ArcGIS Enterprise environments, different teams may develop their own interceptors. Chaining enables these interceptors to be composed together systematically, supporting scalable customization across multiple services.
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Ease of debugging and maintenance—Isolating logic into separate interceptors simplifies troubleshooting and maintenance. If an interceptor fails or behaves unexpectedly, it can be diagnosed independently without affecting others.