GraphQL stands for Graph Query Language . It’s related to API development and is gaining more and more followers in the communications world.
Developed by Facebook in 2012, many people know it simply as the Facebook Query Language . Its main function is to facilitate data delivery for web and mobile applications . In other words, it makes the process of delivering information on the client side much simpler, respecting the order of the request.
In this content, we’ll explain more about GraphQL, its differences, and usage examples.
What is GraphQL?
For many, GraphQL is a way to develop type-oriented APIs. However, the concept presented on its official website is a little different.
It’s possible to notice that this is a query language for APIs . It offers a complete and succinct description of an API’s data, allowing you to request exactly what you need, and nothing more.
GraphQL queries return predictable results. Applications that use this language are even faster and more stable, as they control the data resulting from the queries.
It’s important to mention that GraphQL isn’t a database and doesn’t require one to function. It’s not a framework , and it’s not exclusive to HTTP and APIs.
What are the differences between GraphQL?
The great benefit of GraphQL is that it allows an API to return clear and useful data, all in accordance with the actual need. For the user consuming the APIs, this is very important. In addition, it has better performance than traditional APIs.
At first glance, you might confuse GraphQL with JSON . But the descriptive nature of the data model is very similar to the objective specifications, based on what is known as object-orientation.
This relationship occurs not simply because of the attributes, but also because both use the concept of inheritance with interfaces.
This ends up being another important differential, since object-oriented programming is widespread in virtually all areas of systems development.
Another advantage of GraphQL is the ability to add new fields and types to an API without affecting existing queries. Even outdated fields can still be discontinued and hidden from tools.
Using a single version, GraphQL APIs provide applications with continuous access to new resources, while also incentivizing clean, up-to-date server code.
Data model using GraphQL
To better understand how GraphQL works, we’ll give a simple example, which is published on the language’s own website.
First, you need to describe what you want your data structure to look like. In this case, in a type known as ” Project ,” there are three attributes:
- Yam;
- Tagline;
- Contributors.
From here, you can now create a query with the data you need . If you take a quick look at the code, you can see that the query is for a “ Project ” named “ GraphQL ,” and that the response will only be the “ Tagline ” attribute.
Then, the result you will get with the special database query will be the following:
That is, the result is exactly what was requested, no more or less.
GraphQL vs. REST: Which is Better?
One of the first things that comes to mind when talking about GraphQL is wondering if REST does exactly the same thing.
First, let’s look at the definitions. REST is a software architecture style that allows a set of constraints to be defined for use in creating web services.
The primary objective is to define japan data fundamental characteristics so that web applications are built according to good practices.
REST performs information retrieval, but not in the same way that GraphQL does. Furthermore, REST alone can’t filter data the way GraphQL can.
Despite this, REST has 3 important advantages over GraphQL:
- Its URL is more complete and with a lot of Nesting (alignment);
- There is Over Fetching, that is, much more data than necessary;
- It makes many more HTTP requests when the data structure is a little more complex.