GraphQL vs REST: Choosing the Right API

REST API Basics

REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for networked applications. It uses standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and relies on resource-based URLs.

GraphQL Fundamentals

GraphQL is a query language for APIs developed by Facebook. It allows clients to request exactly the data they need, reducing over/under-fetching.

query {
    user(id: "123") {
      name
      email
      posts {
        title
        content
      }
    }
  }

Key Differences

Aspect	REST	GraphQL
Data Fetching	Multiple endpoints, potential over/under-fetching	Single endpoint, precise data requests
Versioning	URL versioning (v1, v2)	Schema evolution, no versioning needed
Documentation	OpenAPI/Swagger	Introspective schema

REST Advantages

• Simple and familiar
• Caching with HTTP
• Stateless architecture
• Widely supported

GraphQL Advantages

• Efficient data fetching
• Type safety and validation
• Single endpoint for all operations
• Great developer experience

When to Choose Each

Choose REST for simple APIs or when you need HTTP caching. Opt for GraphQL in complex applications with multiple clients or when reducing network requests is critical.

Both architectures have their place in modern development. Evaluate your specific needs to make the best choice for your project.