REST vs GraphQL
For any communication, we need media, sometimes called an interface. The same goes for computers, we need something to communicate and share data or information. A bridge is provided between two programs for easy and quick communication between computer programs. That bridge is known as Application Programming Interface (API).
Where are the APIs used? They are used in mobile apps, web apps, operating systems, and many more places. Even in Point of Sale systems, when a computer operator uses a barcode scanner, he is using an API to provide communication between PC and Reader. One of the purposes of using APIs is to perform abstraction and allow other developers to work without tensing about details like hardware, details of fetching data from servers, etc. All can be done by calling a simple function.
What is a Query?
A Query also works like a REST API (explained further), you request some information, and a response is returned. A little difference comes here, that is a Query works with pre-defined schemas and gets data from a single endpoint.
What is a REST API?
Representational State Transfer is a software architecture that allows communication between client and server using HTTP/HTTPS. A client device sends a request to the server, and the server responds with some data and a status code (eg. 200, 404, 403). It doesn’t follow any specific schema and data types, the data returned is just like noSQL database (to learn more about databases, click here).
What is GraphQL?
GraphQL is a query language developed by Facebook (Meta), that allows you to manipulate and conditionally make API calls and receive specific data. It’s queries are similar to other database query languages like SQL.
Comparison Between REST API and GraphQL
REST API is an architecture that allows you to share data between server and client, while GraphQL is a query language through which you query existing data. One of the great differences between them is that REST API returns whole data with one call, but it’s not in the case of GraphQL, it allows you to query through specific data by providing a condition. One of the disadvantages of GraphQL is it’s complexity, from querying data to managing cache, everything is a bit more complex than REST.
Some experts say that GraphQL can the replacement for REST in future.
Thank you for reading my article, please do support it, and follow me if you are new.
Here are some useful articles that may help you increase your knowledge,
Web Development vs Mobile App Development
Follow me for more incredible content 💙
