GraphQL
GraphQL is a query language for your API, and a server-side runtime for executing queries by using a type system you define for your data. GraphQL isn’t tied to any specific database or storage engine and is instead backed by your existing code and data.
Table of contents
Usage of GraphQL with Next Right Now
GraphQL is used by all presets including gcms in their name. (i.e: v2-mst-aptd-gcms-lcz-sty)
Why GraphQL over REST?
If you want to learn about the pros/cons of GraphQL vs other API protocols, we suggest reading Comparing API Architectural Styles: SOAP vs REST vs GraphQL vs RPC
Some issues of the REST API are:
- We often call multiple endpoints to fetch the data required for one page, screen or for a particular component tree.
- Airtable API (REST-ish) is a good example. You need to send 30 HTTP request to fetch the data from 30 different tables, but you only need one request when using GraphQL.
- The data returned is non-negotiable. We cannot opt to not receive certain return values unless we explicitly code it in the route handling logic. This will in turn introduce more complexity to the request body.
- Or you won’t have the option implemented, at all. And it depends on the API implementation, all REST APIs are implemented differently and very few have a solid foundation.
- If an endpoint is updated with a different response value, all installed apps or front-end clients will also need to be updated to handle that change. To overcome this, versioning has become a standard practice with RESTful APIs, along with managing deprecation for an entire API version, rather than just particular endpoints.
- Although global validation mechanisms such as authentication can be handled through middleware, validating request bodies on a per-endpoint basis is often repetitive and introduces more boilerplate code.
Want more?
If you’re not familiar with the differences between REST and GraphQL:
- https://goodapi.co/blog/rest-vs-graphql
-
https://medium.com/@rossbulat/graphql-in-javascript-an-introduction-f50b8dc6e92
-
Tip: Make sur to check the official GraphQL tutorial if you want to learn more about it!
- You should probably focus on the “client” usage, and use a Headless CMS that manages the server for you, it’s much less work!
- You should probably focus on the “client” usage, and use a Headless CMS that manages the server for you, it’s much less work!