Definition #
GraphQL is a query language and runtime for APIs that allows clients to request exactly the data they need from multiple sources in a single request.
Key Characteristics #
- Declarative data fetching
- Single endpoint architecture
- Strong type system using Schema Definition Language (SDL)
- Real-time updates via subscriptions
- Introspective API capabilities
Why It Matters #
Reduces network payload size by 65% compared to REST APIs while improving developer productivity by 40% (State of JS 2023).
Common Use Cases #
- Mobile applications with bandwidth constraints
- Microservices data aggregation layer
- Complex dashboard interfaces with nested data
- Cross-platform content management systems
Examples #
- GitHub’s public GraphQL API
- Shopify Storefront API
- Apollo Server open-source implementation
- Contentful content delivery API
FAQs #
Q: How does GraphQL handle versioning compared to REST?
A: Enables backward-compatible evolution through schema additions rather than versioned endpoints.
Q: Is GraphQL suitable for simple CRUD applications?
A: While possible, it provides most value in complex data scenarios - REST may be preferable for basic CRUD.
Q: Security considerations with flexible queries?
A: Implement query depth limiting, query cost analysis, and persisted queries in production environments.