Implementing Rate Limiting in Elixir with Leaky and Token Buckets

Alex Koutmos provides a comprehensive guide on creating rate limiters in Elixir, focusing on two algorithms: leaky bucket and token bucket. The author explains the concept of rate limiting, scenarios where it is beneficial, and walks through the coding process step-by-step. Key components include leveraging GenServer to handle asynchronous processing of requests, using Erlang’s queue for buffering, and implementing dependency injection for easier swapping of rate limiter strategies. The article culminates in testing the implementations to highlight their differences and performance. Through illustrative examples and code snippets, readers are equipped to build effective rate limiting solutions in their Elixir applications.