Development
GraphQL
What GraphQL is and why it matters
Definition
GraphQL is a query language and runtime for APIs, developed by Meta in 2012 and open-sourced in 2015. It allows clients to request exactly the data they need in a single request, eliminating the over-fetching and under-fetching problems common in REST APIs. GraphQL uses a strongly typed schema to define the data model and supports queries (reads), mutations (writes), and subscriptions (real-time updates).
How it works
With REST, the server decides the response shape. GET /users/123 returns all user fields whether the client needs them or not. With GraphQL, the client sends a query specifying exactly which fields it wants. A mobile app that only needs the user's name and avatar sends a different query than a dashboard that needs the full profile. Both hit the same endpoint.
GraphQL is particularly valuable when you have multiple clients with different data needs (web, mobile, partner APIs) or when your data model has deeply nested relationships. Instead of making five REST calls to assemble a dashboard view, one GraphQL query can fetch users, their orders, order items, and shipping status in a single request.
The trade-offs are real. GraphQL adds complexity to the backend (resolver functions, schema management, N+1 query risks). Caching is harder than REST because every request can be different. Security requires more thought because clients can craft expensive nested queries. For simple CRUD APIs, GraphQL is often over-engineering. It shines when data requirements are complex and varied.
How 1Raft uses GraphQL
We use GraphQL when the data access patterns justify it. In a commerce platform with web, mobile, and partner API clients, GraphQL eliminated 60% of the API surface area by replacing dozens of purpose-built REST endpoints. We use tools like DataLoader to prevent N+1 queries and enforce query depth limits to prevent abuse. For simpler projects, we stick with REST.
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