GraphQL often comes to mind when discussing programming languages.
It's a query and data management language for APIs.
Also, it's in a runtime environment to perform queries with existing data.
Thus, it's no surprise it takes part in many critical software development edges.
The query language allows for reading, interpreting, and updating data.
But do you want to know other points that converge and define this tool? It's time to start!
What is GraphQL?
When writing a GraphQL, the developer handles the data type definition.
This type of determination can be type definition, typedef, or simple definition.
Let's say we tell the server how to read that something is a car.
Then, GraphQL goes into a state of interpretation.
In this context, it creates a series of orders or steps.
For instance, to handle data extraction and storage.
Later, it tells the server the different types of data and their relation to each other.
These commands receive the name resolvers.
The purpose of this language is to tell the server the connection between different types of data.
Although it sounds very simple, this is its basic definition.
Following the previous example, it's not only about telling the server that an element is a car.
Other features make this language unique and necessary.
Through this language, you can tell the server to read a car belonging to a particular user in a specific way.
Both car and user data are nodes. In a nutshell, it determines how you will relate the data you find.
What are GraphQL APIs?
Defining the GraphQL API is simple, considering they are quite related.
Also, they're in endless combinations.
In the short term, an API is an interface that allows communications between two services.
Its name comes from Application Programming Interface.
Moreover, it reunites all protocols and functions necessary for development processes.
These processes include databases, online platforms, social networks, and operating systems.
Now it's essential to address the use of GraphQL to develop APIs.
With simple requests, GraphQL gets responses with all the required fields.
This collation also allows for improving network usage by reducing HTTP loads.
Yet, the uses of this language depend on the final goal. Front-end developers use GraphQL to build queries and fetch specific data.
But, back-end developers apply it to model data.
What are the Types of GraphQL?
GraphQL is a typed language. Currently, system types get sorted by different data types.
These types act like a contract between the user and the server. Let's review some popular GraphQL data types
- Scalar GraphQL. This GraphQL type stores primitive data, such as int, float, string, and boolean classifications, with the the
datatype_field. - Object GraphQL. The most common type, objects represent a group of fields, with each field within an object assigned to another type.
- Query GraphQL. These are often used to get data, with queries sent from the client goes to GraphQL and the SDL to determine the query.
- List GraphQL. Lists represent arrays of values for a specific type with modifiers like scalar, object, and enumeration GraphQL.
- Mutation GraphQL. These are mutations moved to the server to develop, update or delete data, that identify entry points.
- Enumeration GraphQL. Similar to the scalar type, this is a valuable option when dealing with the value of a field that needs a list of options.
- Non-Nullable GraphQL. Scalar types can be set to null with two options: to return a specific value or to have no value at all.
Each type handles the definition of type sets.
In all cases, these types deal with possible queried data.
Once GraphQL accesses the queries, it validates and executes them.
What are the Uses of GraphQL
One of the most asked questions is how GraphQL works.
To this, the answer is quite simple. GraphQL allows the definition of a data structure.
Moreover, it considers the return of said structure from the same server.
The functional cycle provides for regulating the amount of data returned.
What's more, this feature has great relevance to the effectiveness of the web cache.
Further, it can add a level of complexity that is not worth it with simple APIs.
That's why flexibility and richness are often-used concepts to define this language.
GraphQL offers a type system and a type of introspection.
Also, it has static validation, query language, and execution semantics.
It can also support writing, reading, and data changes with real-time updates.
This is often applied when using WebHooks.
Servers powered by GraphQL are available for a large count of languages.
Among the most known, there are Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, C#, and C++.
What's more, it's compatible with Haskel, Pearl, Go, Scale, and Clover, to name a few.
There are various projects to ease adopting of GraphQL, like Apollo, Graphback, Offix, and OpenAPI-to-GraphQL.
Is GraphQL a Database Management Software (DBMS)
This is one of the most requested questions.
lso, it's confusing within the development field.
Yet, the answer is no, GraphQL is not a Database Management Software.
The confusion comes as a misconception of the term.
While GraphQL is a query language for API, it's not for a database.
In a nutshell, it's a database-independent language.
Furthermore, devs can use GraphQL with any database or even without a database.
Example of GraphQL Development
The best way to learn about this language is by looking at a series of sample queries and responses.
We'll be showing this below as an example of a GraphQL project.
GraphQL allows users to define reusable elements and determine various variables.
Suppose a dev team wants to request a series of identifications and records.
Using GraphQL, creating a single query with one API call is possible.
If you're a GitHub user, a faster way to get a more convenient experience is to use GraphQL Explorer from GitHub.
What are the Benefits of Using GraphQL
Devs can build a GraphQL back.end server without acknowledging the front-end side.
With this tool, front-end devs can request info at any time.
An example could be a list of users with their cars, profile pictures, and license plates.
During dev commands, it's possible to read databases on other platforms, like Rest APIs.
Yet, GraphQL has a predominant relevance and speed over Rest API.
That's because it makes it easier to choose the query fields.
Thus, it consolidates a better learning curve.
Also, GraphQL allows data collection from various sources with one API call.
Conclusion
This language has a series of tools that interfere with API development.
It channels fast, has natural operations, and is independent of database access.
Also, it's capable of supporting a large number of clients and languages.
While GraphQL has many uses, it seeks to optimize data requesting and receiving.
We hope you liked this article! Also, we expect it to clarify any doubts.
As we know, with software products, success and agile minds go hand in hand.
