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Dependency Management

Third-Party Dependencies

Software Development

Code Quality

Version Control

ARTICLE #74

Table of contents

1. Evaluate dependencies

2. Dependency management tools

3. Version control

4. Dependency locking

5. Regular updates

6. Automated testing

7. Security scanning

8. Audit and remove unused dependencies

9. Fallback mechanisms

FAQ

How to manage third-party dependencies?

Dependency Management

Third-Party Dependencies

Software Development

Code Quality

Version Control

Dependency Management

Third-Party Dependencies

Software Development

Code Quality

Version Control

Written by:

3 min read

Updated on: August 5, 2024

Toni Hukkanen

Head of Design

Creative Direction, Brand Direction

Toni Hukkanen

Head of Design

Creative Direction, Brand Direction

Agile teams often face headaches when dealing with third-party dependencies, especially on complex projects. These external elements—libraries, frameworks, cloud platforms, APIs, or other outside services—are vital to making your product work but can introduce risks if not handled properly.

Integrations, in turn, refer to how your product links up with other applications or systems, like CRM tools, payment gateways, or databases. Whenever dependencies and integrations enter the picture, the chances of performance glitches or quality surprises increase. Fortunately, a few consistent practices can go a long way toward reducing those risks.

Below, you’ll find a balanced approach to controlling external libraries and integrations without sacrificing your Agile spirit.

1. Evaluate dependencies

Before you bring an outside component into your project, do a thorough check to confirm it meets your technical and business requirements. Keep an eye on factors such as functionality, licencing, documentation, community support, and maintenance pace. It often helps to pick dependencies backed by an active community or a regular update schedule—chances are they’ll be more reliable over the long haul.

2. Dependency management tools

Many programming environments already include built-in tools for tracking external libraries. They handle installation, updates, and removal automatically, so you can avoid fiddly manual upkeep.

npm (Node.js)
pip (Python)
Maven (Java)
Composer (PHP)
Gradle (Android)

All of these also let you pin specific versions, which means your entire team can remain on the same page—literally—when updating dependencies.

Many programming environments already include built-in tools for tracking external libraries. They handle installation, updates, and removal automatically, so you can avoid fiddly manual upkeep.

npm (Node.js)
pip (Python)
Maven (Java)
Composer (PHP)
Gradle (Android)

All of these also let you pin specific versions, which means your entire team can remain on the same page—literally—when updating dependencies.

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3. Version control

Version control is your friend when it comes to consistency. Pinning a specific library version prevents unexpected breakages since nobody accidentally updates to a brand-new release before the team is ready. Look out for SemVer (Semantic Versioning), which breaks version numbers into major, minor, and patch updates. This notation helps you predict how risky an upgrade might be.

Version control in managing third-party dependencies

4. Dependency locking

Lock files add an extra layer of control by declaring the exact library versions your project relies on. Because your teammates share the same lock file, the entire team stays on the same page—literally—when installing dependencies. This prevents “it works on my machine” drama, lowers the risk of conflicts, and ensures reproducible builds.

5. Regular updates

Updating dependencies in small increments (and doing it consistently) makes life easier. You can quickly spot if something breaks and isolate the cause. It also avoids the terror of one massive update after months of inattention. Keep tabs on the changelogs for any new releases, and if you end up with a backlog of updates, test them carefully before going live.

Regular updates in managing third-party dependencies

6. Automated testing

Automation can save everyone from nasty surprises. Incorporate tests that focus on your critical integration points so you’ll know right away if a dependency update breaks something important. Pair these tests with a continuous integration (CI) pipeline. Each time someone commits code, your tests run automatically, serving as a safeguard against sneaky regressions.

7. Security scanning

External components may carry vulnerabilities that can compromise your project. Tools like Snyk or GitLab’s security scanners compare library metadata against databases of known weaknesses. If a particular version of a dependency is flagged, apply a patch or switch to an alternative. In an ideal setup, your CI pipeline includes these scans so you’ll hear about security problems before they turn into a crisis.

8. Audit and remove unused dependencies

Regularly comb through your code to spot libraries you no longer need. Tidying up spares you potential security holes and speeds up builds. Whether you automate this with a script or do a manual check, removing dead weight is a simple way to keep your codebase lean.

9. Fallback mechanisms

Nothing is worse than having your application grind to a halt because a key service went down. A fallback strategy ensures your product can cope if a dependency fails. Think about caching, circuit breakers, or alternate service providers. This is particularly important for anything that touches essential functions, like user payments or data storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a third-party dependency?

A third-party dependency is an external code library, framework, or service created by someone outside your team. Rather than building everything from scratch, you plug these components into your own project to save time or add features.

What are the different types of dependencies in software architecture?

Dependencies in software architecture often fall into these five categories:

Chain
Stack
Shared people
Shared resources
Shared codebase

Each brings its own quirks that can slow delivery or affect quality if not carefully managed.

What are dependencies in API?

When dealing with APIs, a dependency represents any relationship or reliance that one API operation has on another. Tracking these connections helps you handle API updates more confidently and maintain a stable overall ecosystem.

Wrapping Up

Developers these days face extra scrutiny around external code—a data breach can become global news in seconds. But a well-structured plan that monitors vulnerabilities, handles versions smoothly, and double-checks through solid testing makes a world of difference.

We know it’s crucial to balance creativity with a solid business approach. Whether you’re refining your brand identity, forging new product strategies, or tackling third-party dependencies, our remote-friendly and globally oriented-team supports every aspect with thoughtful attention to detail. If you’d like a hand keeping your product strong and your external libraries in check, we’re here to help.