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Rest APIs v GraphQL APIs

API stands for "Application Programming Interface," and it refers to the set of protocols, routines, and tools that enable different software systems to communicate with each other. APIs allow different software systems to exchange data and functionality, and they play a crucial role in modern software development. There are many different types of APIs, and two of the most popular are REST APIs and GraphQL APIs.


REST APIs (short for "Representational State Transfer" APIs) are a type of API that follows a set of architectural principles for building web services. REST APIs are based on the HTTP protocol, which is the foundation of the web. REST APIs use HTTP requests (such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE) to retrieve or modify data, and they use HTTP response codes (such as 200, 201, 404, and 500) to indicate the success or failure of a request.


REST APIs have been around for a long time, and they are widely used because they are simple, flexible, and easy to understand. However, REST APIs have some limitations, such as:

  • Over-fetching: REST APIs often return more data than is needed, which can lead to unnecessary data transfer and slower performance.

  • Under-fetching: REST APIs may require multiple requests to different endpoints to get all the data needed, which can lead to complex code and slower performance.

  • Inflexibility: REST APIs are typically designed around specific resources, so it can be difficult to modify the data returned or add new functionality.

GraphQL APIs (short for "Graph Query Language" APIs) are a newer type of API that was developed by Facebook in 2015. GraphQL is a query language that allows clients to request specific data and functionality from an API, and it allows the API to return only the data and functionality that is requested. GraphQL APIs use a single endpoint that receives GraphQL queries and returns GraphQL responses.


GraphQL APIs have several advantages over REST APIs, such as:

  • Flexibility: GraphQL APIs allow clients to request exactly the data and functionality they need, and they allow the API to return only that data and functionality. This makes it easier to modify the data returned or add new functionality.

  • Efficiency: GraphQL APIs allow clients to request all the data and functionality they need in a single request, which can lead to faster performance.

  • Self-documentation: GraphQL APIs include a built-in documentation system that allows clients to explore the available data and functionality.

However, GraphQL APIs also have some limitations, such as:

  • Complexity: GraphQL APIs can be more complex to implement than REST APIs, especially for large and complex APIs.

  • Caching: It can be more difficult to cache GraphQL responses than REST responses, which can lead to slower performance.

  • Security: GraphQL APIs may require additional security measures to prevent malicious queries from exposing sensitive data or functionality.

In conclusion, both REST APIs and GraphQL APIs are popular choices for building web services, and they each have their own strengths and limitations. REST APIs are simple, flexible, and well-established, but they can be inflexible and inefficient. GraphQL APIs are more flexible and efficient, but they can be more complex and may require additional security measures. The right choice for your project will depend on your specific requirements and constraints.


Happy coding!

Tom Hundley Elegant Software Solutions

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