Learning Expectations

• What is GraphQL?

• Why GraphQL is useful?

• What is Apollo?

• Resources for getting started

What Is GraphQL?

• Query language for APIs developed by Facebook

• Alternative to REST

• Client-first approach

• Not framework-specific

A Brief Caveat

• REST is Dead. ☠️

• JSONAPI is terrible

• GraphQL all the things!

What I'm not saying

Let's Talk About REST

• Provides a consistent standard for the server

• Predictable API for clients

Lets Talk About REST

• The server sets the standard

• All clients have to fall in line

 

In REST-land, the server is King 👑

So, What's the Problem?

Long, long ago web apps had a single server and single client.

It was a simpler time.

 

The multiplication of clients

So, What's the Problem?

 

 

But now we have:
• multiple web apps

• a mobile-web specific app

• a native mobile app

 

And all of these clients

have different needs.

 

The multiplication of clients

So, What's the Problem?

Making multiple requests to get a complete resource

 

The multiplication of clients

So, What's the Problem?

Sending excess data to clients

 

The multiplication of clients

So, What's the Problem?

Clients know too much about the API

 

The multiplication of clients

So, What's the Problem?

This created some tension in the server-client relationship.

 

The multiplication of clients

Enter GraphQL

Server-side
• Schema to represent data relationships

• Only one API endpoint for all requests

• Resolvers to handle various request types

In GraphQL-land, server & clients cooperate

Enter GraphQL

Client-side

• Request the specific data needed

• Request the shape of the data

In GraphQL-land, server & clients cooperate

An Example in Node

View The Repo

Apollo Client

View the Demo

Resources

GraphQL
• http://graphql.org/graphql-js

• https://www.howtographql.com/

• https://github.com/alanbsmith/pizza-api

Apollo
• https://www.apollographql.com/

• https://dev-blog.apollodata.com/

• Chrome Apollo dev tools

• https://github.com/apollographql/react-apollo