What is GraphQL?

GraphQL is a query language for APIs that provides a more flexible and efficient way to request exactly the data you need from an API. Unlike REST, where you may receive more data than needed, GraphQL allows you to request only specific fields, minimizing over-fetching.

Key Features of GraphQL

• Single Endpoint: Unlike REST, which uses different endpoints for different resources, GraphQL uses a single /graphql endpoint for all requests.
• Exact Data Fetching: Clients can specify exactly which fields they need.
• Hierarchical Structure: GraphQL queries mimic the shape of the response.

Example: GraphQL Query to Fetch User Data

{
  user(id: 1) {
    id
    name
    email
    posts {
      title
      content
    }
  }
}

GraphQL vs. REST

Feature	GraphQL	REST
Data Fetching	Fetches only requested fields	Fetches complete data, potentially over-fetching
Endpoint	Single endpoint /graphql	Multiple endpoints for different resources
Versioning	No versioning needed	Requires new endpoints for each version
Error Handling	Returns partial data along with errors	Typically returns error codes without data