Posted By
Gaurang Patel
on
25. October 2017 03:19
About GraphQL
GraphQL is a simple, easy-to-understand, data-fetching query builder and editor that has revolutionized the way API’s were understood. Internally developed by Facebook, it has become one of the simplest and highly used API systems. As a query language for APIs, GraphQL offers a strongly-typed server runtime that lets the client build their own data.
What is GraphQL?
- A query language that can be used in any context that uses API
- An API technology that enables declarative data fetching
- An API technology that enables declarative data fetching
- A QL developed by Facebook and later open-sourced
The Basics of GraphQL
GraphQL provides a compelling way to structure a server. It also simplifies data needs for both backend server engineers and frontend developers. Other query languages have multiple endpoints, while GraphQL has one smart endpoint that can take in complex queries and give data output, precisely what the client requires.
In a nutshell, GraphQL has three basic characteristics:
- 1. It lets the client decide the type of data it wants to return
- 2. It makes data aggregation from multiple sources much easier
- 3. It uses a type system
Hierarchial – GraphGL follows a natural hierarchal shape, just like the shape of the data that is returned by a server. Since data is stored in a similar structure, it helps product engineers to describe data requirements.
Product-Centric – GraphQL is amazingly product-centric. It can be written as per the requirements of front-end engineers.
Client-Specified Queries – The specification for queries in GraphQL is written on the client-end instead of the server determining the type of data. So, the server returns exactly what the client asks for.
Backwards Compatible – Backward compatibility of apps becomes more easily manageable with a client-specified query language.
Strongly Typed – Before a query is executed, tooling ensures that the query is both syntactically correct and valid for the type system. This helps with building high quality client tools.
Introspective – A GraphQL can be queried by clients and tools for the type system used. This helps create a powerful platform to build tools and client software.
Current Uses of GraphQL
Query language is of strong value for many companies beyond just Facebook including; Twitter, Yelp, Netflix, Coursera, GitHub, Shopify and more. Lots of companies are moving to GraphQL because of its ease and efficiency. It is a quickly growing community and there are conferences held to discuss loopholes and improvements.
How to Use GraphQL
GraphQL is extremely easy to use.
- Step 1: Write your GraphQL schema for the API
- Step 2: Once you have written your first query, use tool to get the data you need
- Step 3: Consume that data and build your apps with any front-end framework
Benefits of GraphQL
Get what you ask for, nothing more and nothing less – GraphQL queries always return what you ask for. The client controls the data, not the server
Get multiple resources at once – The ability to send a complex query that still gets back the exact data you need is highly resourceful
Access the full capabilities of your data – Having APIs in the form of types and fields instead of endpoints allows you to do more with your data
Move faster – Since less actions are performed on the server-end, GraphQL speeds up your data requests.
“It is a technology that is far superior top regular APIs. Many companies are finding it extremely useful for their business. It has the capacity to be one of the key building blocks of the web in the future and when it does, you don’t want to get left behind.” – Sunil Jagani CTO, Simtekway
