What are RESTful APIs and GraphQL?
RESTful APIs and GraphQL are two popular methods for building APIs in fullstack development. REST uses a resource-based approach with HTTP methods, while GraphQL uses a query language to fetch specific data.
RESTful API
RESTful APIs organize endpoints by resources and use methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. It is a widely adopted standard in API development.
// Example REST API Endpoint
app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
const users = [{ id: 1, name: 'John Doe' }];
res.json(users);
});
GraphQL
GraphQL allows clients to request specific data and get exactly what they need in a single request. It is flexible and efficient, making it suitable for complex applications.
// Example GraphQL Query
{
user(id: "1") {
name
email
}
}
Choosing Between REST and GraphQL
Developers should choose REST when simplicity and standardization are important. GraphQL is better when flexibility and efficiency are priorities, especially in complex or evolving applications.