GraphQL

It is designed to make APIs fast, flexible, and developer friendly. It can even be implemented within an IDE known as GraphiQL. 

GraphQL allows API administrators to add or remove fields without affecting existing queries. Developers can build APIs using their preferred methods, and the GraphQL specification will ensure that they function predictably for clients. 

Benefits of GraphQL

It has many benefits, some of which are listed below.

GraphQL is faster

It is much faster than other communication APIs because it allows you to shorten your query by selecting only the specific fields you want to retrieve.

Best for complex systems and microservices

Integrate multiple systems behind GraphQL APIs. Integrate them and hide the complexity. A GraphQL server is also used to retrieve data from existing systems and package it in a GraphQL response format. This is most beneficial for outdated infrastructure or third-party APIs that are very large and difficult to maintain and manage. 

No over-fetching and under-fetching issues

A major advantage over REST is that a REST response can contain too much or even too little data, requiring a new request. GraphQL solves this problem by only retrieving accurate and specific data in a single request.

Hierarchical structure

It follows a hierarchy that defines relationships between objects in a graphical tree structure. Here, each object type represents a component, and each relationship field from one object type to another object type represents a component that encloses another component.

Defines a data shape

When we request GraphQL queries to the server, the server returns the response in a simple, secure, and predictable form. So, writing a specific query according to your requirement makes it easier. This makes GraphQL really easy to learn and use.

Code sharing

GraphQL fields used in multiple queries can be shared and reused at a higher level. With this feature, called snippets, it is possible to retrieve different data while maintaining the same schema fields.

Introspective

We can ask a GraphQL server about its supporting types. It creates a powerful platform for tools and client software, such as application frameworks, Relay, or IDEs like GraphiQL. GraphiQL makes it easy for developers to learn and explore an API quickly.

Disadvantages of GraphQL

Here are some disadvantages of GraphQL.

Overkill for smaller applications

It is better to go for a REST architecture for a simple app. REST can also be a good solution for connecting apps that do not require the flexible queries that GraphQL offers. 

The complexity of GraphQL Query

It is only a simple query language. When a query is requested, the server performs database access.

Caching

Implementing a simplified cache with GraphQL is more difficult than with REST. But most libraries built on GraphQL offer an efficient caching mechanism.