Compare REST and GraphQL

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To compare REST and GraphQL, let’s consider the following aspects:

  1. Data Fetching: - REST: In REST, multiple endpoints are used to fetch different resources. Each endpoint returns a fixed set of data, and the client needs to make multiple requests to gather all the required data.
  2. GraphQL: With GraphQL, a single endpoint is used to fetch data. The client can specify exactly what data it needs, and the server responds with only that data. This reduces over-fetching and under-fetching of data.
  3. Data Manipulation:
  4. REST: REST follows the principles of CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations. Different HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE are used to manipulate data.
  5. GraphQL: GraphQL provides a flexible and intuitive way to manipulate data. It uses a single endpoint and a query language to specify the data requirements. Clients can send mutations to create, update, or delete data.
  6. Response Structure:
  7. REST: REST APIs have a fixed response structure defined by the server. Clients receive the entire response, even if they only need a subset of the data.
  8. GraphQL: GraphQL allows clients to specify the structure of the response they need. The server responds with the exact data structure requested, reducing unnecessary data transfer.
  9. Versioning:
  10. REST: REST APIs often require versioning to introduce changes without breaking existing clients. Different versions of the API are maintained, and clients need to update their requests accordingly.
  11. GraphQL: GraphQL avoids versioning by allowing clients to request only the specific fields they need. New fields can be added without impacting existing clients.
  12. Caching:
  13. REST: REST APIs can leverage HTTP caching mechanisms like ETag or Last-Modified headers to cache responses. Caching is typically done at the endpoint level.
  14. GraphQL: GraphQL responses are not cacheable by default, as the query structure and data requirements can vary. However, GraphQL supports custom caching strategies based on the specific needs of the application.

In summary, while REST is widely adopted and simpler to understand, GraphQL offers more flexibility and efficiency in data fetching and manipulation. It allows clients to request precisely the data they need, reducing network overhead and enabling faster development cycles.