Why I'm using Graphql instead of Rest API?

Over the past few years, GraphQL has emerged as a powerful alternative to REST APIs for building modern web applications. As a developer who has transitioned to using GraphQL in my Next.js and React projects, I can attest to the numerous benefits it offers. One of the primary reasons I've made the switch is that GraphQL allows for more efficient and precise data fetching, enabling me to request only the data I need, and nothing more. This streamlined approach helps to reduce the amount of over- or under-fetching, which in turn leads to improved performance and a better user experience.

Another reason I've chosen to adopt GraphQL in my Next.js and React projects is its strong typing system. GraphQL's schema definition language (SDL) allows me to define the exact structure and types of the data I expect to receive from the server. This level of specificity ensures that both the client and server are in sync, reducing the likelihood of errors and streamlining the development process. Additionally, the type system serves as a form of documentation, making it easier for other developers to understand and work with my code.

The flexibility of GraphQL's query language is another factor that has contributed to my preference for it over REST APIs. With REST, I would often find myself creating numerous endpoints to accommodate different client needs or resorting to custom solutions. However, GraphQL enables clients to define their own queries, which makes it much easier to tailor the data I receive to the specific requirements of my Next.js and React applications. This adaptability not only leads to cleaner and more maintainable code but also promotes a more agile development process.

In the context of Next.js and React, real-time data updates are essential for providing an engaging and dynamic user experience. GraphQL's built-in support for subscriptions is a game-changer in this regard. Leveraging GraphQL subscriptions allows me to receive real-time updates from the server whenever data changes, without the need to constantly poll or use complex workarounds. This capability enables me to create more responsive and interactive applications that keep users informed and engaged.

Lastly, the rich ecosystem surrounding GraphQL has been a significant factor in my decision to adopt it in my Next.js and React projects. There are numerous libraries and tools available, such as Apollo Client, that make it easy to integrate GraphQL into my applications, handle caching, and manage state. Additionally, the growing community of developers and resources ensures that I have access to the support and knowledge needed to continue learning and refining my skills with GraphQL.

To illustrate their differences, let's consider a simple example: we have a blog with posts and authors. Here's how you would implement fetching a post and its author using both approaches:

REST API

With a REST API, you usually have different endpoints for different resources. In this case, we could have the following endpoints:

1. /posts/:id: Fetch a post by its ID.
2. /authors/:id: Fetch an author by their ID.

To fetch a post and its author, you would first request the post and then request the author using the post's author ID.

Here's an example using JavaScript and the fetch function:

<pre>

// Fetch a post by its ID
fetch("/posts/1")
  .then((response) => response.json())
  .then((post) => {
    console.log("Post:", post);

    // Fetch the author using the post's author ID
    return fetch(`/authors/${post.authorId}`);
  })
  .then((response) => response.json())
  .then((author) => {
    console.log("Author:", author);
  });

</pre>

GraphQL API

With GraphQL, you have a single endpoint that accepts queries. These queries define the data you need, and the API returns only that data. In this case, you can fetch a post and its author with a single query.

Here's an example using JavaScript and the fetch function:

// Define the GraphQL query
const query = `
  query {
    post(id: 1) {
      id
      title
      content
      author {
        id
        name
      }
    }
  }
`;

// Fetch data using the GraphQL query
fetch("/graphql", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
  body: JSON.stringify({ query }),
})
  .then((response) => response.json())
  .then((data) => {
    console.log("Post:", data.data.post);
    console.log("Author:", data.data.post.author);
  });

In this example, the GraphQL query fetches a post and its author with a single request. The response contains only the data specified in the query, which can help reduce bandwidth usage and improve performance.

In summary, REST APIs use multiple endpoints to represent different resources, while GraphQL APIs use a single endpoint with flexible queries to fetch the required data.