GraphQL and REST are two different paradigms for building APIs. While REST has been the dominant paradigm for many years, GraphQL has gained popularity in recent years due to its many advantages over REST. In this article, we will explore the differences between the two paradigms, their pros and cons, and which one you should use for your next project.
What is REST?
REST (Representational State Transfer) is a software architectural style for building distributed systems. It is based on the HTTP protocol and uses HTTP verbs (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform operations on resources identified by URLs. RESTful APIs are designed around resources, which are typically represented as URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) or URLs.
In a RESTful API, clients make HTTP requests to specific endpoints to perform operations on resources. For example, a client might make an HTTP GET request to the /users endpoint to retrieve a list of all users. REST APIs are stateless, meaning that each request contains all the necessary information for the server to understand and fulfill the request.
What is GraphQL?
GraphQL is a query language for APIs that was developed by Facebook in 2012. Unlike REST, which is based on resources, GraphQL is based on a graph. A GraphQL API defines a schema that describes the data that can be queried, and clients can request exactly the data they need, nothing more and nothing less.
In a GraphQL API, clients make queries to the API to retrieve data. The queries are expressed in the GraphQL language, which allows clients to specify the exact shape of the data they need. GraphQL APIs are stateless, just like REST APIs, but because clients can specify exactly what data they need, GraphQL APIs can be more efficient than REST APIs.
GraphQL vs REST: Pros and Cons
Now that we have a basic understanding of REST and GraphQL, let’s compare the pros and cons of each.
Pros of REST:
- Well-established: REST has been the dominant API paradigm for many years and is well-established in the industry. This means that there is a large body of knowledge and tools available to developers who use REST.
- Easy to understand: REST is relatively easy to understand and can be implemented with simple HTTP requests.
- Cacheable: RESTful APIs are designed to be cacheable, which can improve performance.
- Compatible with a wide range of clients: Because REST is based on HTTP, it is compatible with a wide range of clients, including browsers, mobile apps, and other web services.
Cons of REST:
- Over-fetching and under-fetching: Because REST APIs are resource-based, clients often have to make multiple requests to retrieve all the data they need. This can lead to over-fetching (retrieving more data than necessary) or under-fetching (not retrieving enough data).
- Versioning: Because REST APIs are based on resources, changes to the API can require versioning, which can be cumbersome.
- Limited flexibility: Because REST APIs are based on resources, it can be difficult to change the structure of the API without breaking existing clients.
Pros of GraphQL:
- Efficient: Because clients can specify exactly what data they need, GraphQL APIs can be more efficient than REST APIs.
- Strongly typed: GraphQL APIs are strongly typed, meaning that the schema defines the types and structure of the data that can be queried. This can help catch errors at compile time rather than runtime.
- Flexible: Because GraphQL APIs are based on a graph, the structure of the API can be changed without breaking existing clients.
- Self-documenting: Because the GraphQL schema defines the types and structure of the data that can be queried, it serves as a self-documenting API.
Cons of GraphQL:
- Learning curve: Because GraphQL is a new paradigm, there can be a learning curve for developers who are used to working with REST APIs.
- Complexity: GraphQL APIs can be more complex to implement than REST APIs, particularly if you are working with a large and complex data model.
- Lack of tooling: Because GraphQL is a relatively new paradigm, there may be a lack of tooling and support available for developers.
Here’s a table comparing the key differences between GraphQL and REST:
| GraphQL | REST | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Model | Based on a graph | Based on resources |
| Querying | Clients can request only the data they need | Clients must often make multiple requests to retrieve all the data they need |
| Strong Typing | APIs are strongly typed | APIs are typically not strongly typed |
| Self-Documenting | APIs are self-documenting through the schema | APIs may require additional documentation to explain resources and their relationships |
| Flexibility | Structure of the API can be changed without breaking existing clients | Changes to the API can require versioning to prevent breaking existing clients |
| Caching | Clients can control what is cached and when | APIs are cacheable, but caching is not always straightforward |
| Tooling and Support | Because GraphQL is a relatively new paradigm, there may be a lack of tooling and support available | There is a large body of knowledge and tools available for developers who use REST |
| Learning Curve | GraphQL can have a learning curve for developers who are used to working with REST APIs | REST is relatively easy to understand and can be implemented with simple HTTP requests |
| Complexity | GraphQL APIs can be more complex to implement than REST APIs, particularly for large and complex data models | REST APIs can become complex and difficult to manage for large and complex data models |
Check our REST vs SOAP article from here.
Which one should you use?
The answer to this question depends on the specific requirements of your project. If you have a relatively simple data model and want a simple API that is easy to understand and implement, REST might be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you have a complex data model and want a more efficient and flexible API, GraphQL might be the better choice.
It’s also worth considering the skillset of your development team. If your team is already familiar with REST, it might be easier and faster to use REST for your project. On the other hand, if your team is open to learning new paradigms and is comfortable working with more complex technologies, they might be better suited to working with GraphQL.
Conclusion
Both REST and GraphQL have their pros and cons, and the choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of your project. While REST is well-established and easy to understand, GraphQL can be more efficient and flexible for complex data models. It’s important to carefully consider the requirements of your project and the skillset of your development team before deciding which paradigm to use.
