GraphQL vs REST: Choosing the Right API for Your Needs

View profile for Sam Rabophala

Lead Product Engineer @ AWS | Cloud, Solution Architecture, Developer

On the topic of GraphQL vs REST, let's delve into the main differences and benefits of each, along with guidance on when to employ them in your architecture design. **GraphQL:** - GraphQL is a query language for APIs that enables clients to request only the data they need. - It allows for fetching multiple resources in a single request, reducing the number of API calls. - With GraphQL, clients can specify the structure of the response, leading to efficient data retrieval. **REST:** - REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style that uses standard HTTP methods for CRUD operations. - It follows a resource-based approach where each endpoint represents a resource (e.g., /users, /products). - REST is well-suited for stateless client-server communication and caching mechanisms. **Choosing Between GraphQL and REST:** - Use GraphQL when you need flexibility in data fetching, have evolving requirements, or want to reduce over-fetching of data. - Opt for REST when working with well-defined resources, leveraging HTTP caching, or following a more traditional approach to API design. By understanding the distinctions and advantages of GraphQL and REST, you can make informed decisions on which to integrate into your architecture design. #APIs #ArchitectureDesign

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