What is GraphQL?

• Not a graph database. Not a database query language like SQL. Not a state management tool. Not an ORM.
• An API communication specification. Like REST & SOAP.
• Solves overfetching and multiple HTTP calls, big benefit to mobile clients
• While it can be versioned in the same way as REST, best practice is to be versionless
• Documentation is a first class citizen. Documentation stays to date.
• Deprecation is a first class citizen.

History

• Originally created by Facebook back in 2012, first released publically in 2015.

What is Apollo GraphQL?

• "provides the data graph layer that connects modern apps to the cloud."
• A library that implements the specification. Technically, multiple libraries: Apollo Client, Apollo Server, Apollo Federation, etc.
• There's also the Apollo platform which manages even more (tracing, gateway, analytics, etc)
• Handles a lot, especially on the client side (caching, etc)

Recommended places ways to learn graphQL by learning style

• Interactive (brand new): Apollo Odyssey
• Read: HowToGraphQL.com
• Video (free): What Is GraphQL by Scott Tolinski
• Video (paid): GraphQL Query Language by Eve Porcello, Designing GraphQL Schemas by Nik Graf
• Blog/Tools: The Guild
• Whitepaper: GraphQL at Enterprise Scale
• Book: The GraphQL Guide
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