REST vs GraphQL - rnakidi/dsa GitHub Wiki
When building APIs, choosing the right architecture is crucial for success.
In REST architecture:
- Each request should include all necessary information for processing.
- Resources are exposed as unique endpoints (/users, /orders) with standard HTTP methods and status codes.
- This setup offers clear client-server decoupling, easier caching integration, and system simplicity. However, it can lead to underfetching, providing more data than needed.
On the other hand, GraphQL architecture involves:
- Sending all requests to a single endpoint, with clients specifying required data in queries.
- Defining APIs through a schema that outlines data types and relationships.
- Clients can request specific data, avoiding overfetching and underfetching, leading to flexibility and efficiency. Yet, it introduces system complexity due to schema understanding and query optimization.
In summary:
- REST is akin to ordering from a fixed menu, providing predefined portions.
- GraphQL is likened to a buffet, allowing precise selection but requiring knowledge of available options.