GraphQL vs REST

REST is an architectural approach to creating web services. GraphQL is a query language for designing APIs. Both are used to create web services allowing clients to communicate with remote servers over HTTP.

While REST has been widely accepted as the “de facto” for developing stateless independent microservices, GraphQL is the new kid on the block for rapid API development.

What is REST?

REST stands for Representational State Transfer. REST isn’t a library but rather an architectural “way of doing things”. Web services are considered RESTful when their implementation adheres to REST principles.

A core concept behind REST is the idea of resources. A resource represents a piece of data you want to retrieve from the server. If your web app is a blog then resources may include posts, comments, users, etc.

Each resource is identified by a URL. You fetch a given resource by sending a HTTP request that may look something like this:

/users/<id>/posts

The server processes your request and returns something like this:

{
  "posts": [
    {
      "title":"My latest post",
      "author":"Sam",
      "views":33
    },
    {
      "title":"My other post",
      "author":"Sam",
      "views":14
    },
    {
      "title":"My first post",
      "author":"Sam",
      "views":53
    }
  ]
}

For a user with a given , the service returns a JSON object with an array of post objects.

What is GraphQL?

Unlike REST, GraphQL is an actual application query language for making HTTP requests that return specified resources. While GraphQL ultimately uses the same HTTP protocol to retrieve information from the server, it leverages a type system defined in a schema. This schema dictates the types of queries that can be run and the data they return.

Unlike REST, GraphQL produces a single API endpoint for communicating with the server.

Let’s see how GraphQL would implement the same REST call from the previous example:

query {
  User(id: <id>) {
    posts {
      title,
      author,
      views
    }
  }
}

The server processes the request and returns:

{
  "posts": [
    {
      "title":"My latest post",
      "author":"Sam",
      "views":33
    },
    {
      "title":"My other post",
      "author":"Sam",
      "views":14
    },
    {
      "title":"My first post",
      "author":"Sam",
      "views":53
    }
  ]
}

Notice how the exact same JSON response is returned using GraphQL…

So whats the point?

From the examples, it looks like both GraphQL and REST produce the same result. The GraphQL query seems a bit more verbose than a simple GET request, but both ultimately use the same protocol to return the same thing. So what’s the big deal?

Overfetching and underfetching data

One of the main reasons why GraphQL is preferred to REST is the precision with which data is retrieved from the server. While our basic /users//posts endpoint gave us the data we needed, it may have given us more than we asked for. For example, what if we only wanted the title returned for each post?

This is known as “overfetching” since we got back more than we asked for. Specifically, we got back the author and views along with the title.

Another scenario could be that you need more information about each post. In addition to views, authors, and titles you may also want the number of likes for a given post, etc. This is considered “underfetching” and results in additional requests needed for each post object being returned.

You may be thinking…so what? After all, you could modify the REST endpoint to accept parameters for each field you want returned. You could even filter at the database level or create a new endpoint all together.

And you aren’t wrong. But this would require more development work and more coordination across different teams.

Alternatively, with GraphQL we could simply modify our original query to address the “overfetching” problem:

query {
  User(id: <id>) {
    posts {
      title
    }
  }
}

or the “underfetching” problem:

query {
  User(id: <id>) {
    posts {
      title,
      author,
      views,
      followers
    }
  }
}

Notice how in both cases we simply add or subtract fields that we want returned. Remember GraphQL uses the same API endpoint for every query…so no need to bug the API team.

One request to rule them all…

This example clearly illustrates the benefits of using GraphQL over REST. By specifying a clearly designed schema with the data types and queries available, GraphQL implements a more contract-driven approach to communicating with the server.

This better isolates the front end from the back end and allows for more rapid API development as quickly evolving UIs can retrieve the exact information they need.

GraphQL vs REST: Pros and Cons

So should you forget about REST completely? Not at all. It’s important to remember that REST remains one of the most popular approaches to microservice architecture. Deciding between GraphQL vs REST depends on how you emphasize the pros and cons of each.

REST pros:

• widely accepted- REST has been around since 2000 and remains one of the most popular approaches to implementing web services today.
• reusable - using REST, you can more easily develop independent microservices that work independently of one another. Microservices are (ideally) fully decoupled from clients allowing for them to be accessed by multiple applications.
• caching - REST inherently supports caching much better than GraphQL. This makes for better performance out of the box.

REST cons

• excessive round trips - more endpoints requires more requests. We saw how the problem of underfetching can lead to excessive requests over the network.
• versioning - to avoid breaking changes, REST APIs must implement versioning to ensure production services continue working even when updates are made. This can get messy as more and more versions of your API are released.
• overfetching - downloading unnecessary data
• underfetching - not retrieving enough data, resulting in additional requests
• coordination efforts - it’s more difficult to develop front ends independently of back ends since new requirements require new endpoints (or modification of existing endpoints).

GraphQL pros

• schema - by defining a schema with types of data and queries, GraphQL creates a contract between the client and the server making the data available to the client more obvious. Front end developers don’t need to concern themselves with back end.
• easy to get started - you don’t have to be an expert with web service architecture to start producing / consuming GraphQL.
• precision - you can retrieve exactly the data you’re looking for without additional endpoints or modification of those endpoints. GraphQL more efficiently addresses the overfetching/underfetching problem.

GraphQL cons

• scalability issues - GraphQL is easy to get started with, but can become more of a performance issue as complex queries surface and grow.
• schema limitations - With GraphQL, you’re stuck with the schema that’s defined. This can cause headaches when you want more in-depth responses than provided.
• still fairly new - GraphQL is still considered the new kid on the block. There are only a few select clients that implement it well (Apollo, Relay, and Lokka among the most popular GraphQL clients).

Conclusion

While arguing the pros and cons of GraphQL vs REST can be a never ending conversation, it’s important to remember that both achieve the same end result. Both invovle sending HTTP requests and receiving data from a server. Both have the idea of resources and can specify IDs for those resources. Both can return JSON responses.

Answering the question as to which is better for your web service really depends on the dynamic between different dev teams in your organization. If you already follow a microservice architecture, then dropping REST to play with GraphQL may not be the best idea. However if your team emphasizes rapid API development driven by the front end, then GraphQL may be the best fit for you.

Originally published at https://www.stackchief.com

#rest #graphql #database

What is GEEK

Buddha Community

Opencart REST API extensions - V3.x | Rest API Integration, Affiliate

Opencart REST API extensions - V3.x | Rest API Integration : OpenCart APIs is fully integrated with the OpenCart REST API. This is interact with your OpenCart site by sending and receiving data as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) objects. Using the OpenCart REST API you can register the customers and purchasing the products and it provides data access to the content of OpenCart users like which is publicly accessible via the REST API. This APIs also provide the E-commerce Mobile Apps.

Opencart REST API 
OCRESTAPI Module allows the customer purchasing product from the website it just like E-commerce APIs its also available mobile version APIs.

Opencart Rest APIs List 
Customer Registration GET APIs.
Customer Registration POST APIs.
Customer Login GET APIs.
Customer Login POST APIs.
Checkout Confirm GET APIs.
Checkout Confirm POST APIs.

If you want to know Opencart REST API Any information, you can contact us at -
Skype: jks0586,
Email: letscmsdev@gmail.com,
Website: www.letscms.com, www.mlmtrees.com
Call/WhatsApp/WeChat: +91–9717478599.

Download : https://www.opencart.com/index.php?route=marketplace/extension/info&extension_id=43174&filter_search=ocrest%20api
View Documentation : https://www.letscms.com/documents/api/opencart-rest-api.html
More Information : https://www.letscms.com/blog/Rest-API-Opencart
VEDIO : https://vimeo.com/682154292  

#opencart_api_for_android #Opencart_rest_admin_api #opencart_rest_api #Rest_API_Integration #oc_rest_api #rest_api_ecommerce #rest_api_mobile #rest_api_opencart #rest_api_github #rest_api_documentation #opencart_rest_admin_api #rest_api_for_opencart_mobile_app #opencart_shopping_cart_rest_api #opencart_json_api

Unilevel MLM Wordpress Rest API FrontEnd | UMW Rest API Woocommerce

Unilevel MLM Wordpress Rest API FrontEnd | UMW Rest API Woocommerce Price USA, Philippines : Our API’s handle the Unilevel MLM woo-commerce end user all functionalities like customer login/register. You can request any type of information which is listed below, our API will provide you managed results for your all frontend needs, which will be useful for your applications like Mobile App etc.
Business to Customer REST API for Unilevel MLM Woo-Commerce will empower your Woo-commerce site with the most powerful Unilevel MLM Woo-Commerce REST API, you will be able to get and send data to your marketplace from other mobile apps or websites using HTTP Rest API request.
Our plugin is used JWT authentication for the authorization process.

REST API Unilevel MLM Woo-commerce plugin contains following APIs.
User Login Rest API
User Register Rest API
User Join Rest API
Get User info Rest API
Get Affiliate URL Rest API 
Get Downlines list Rest API
Get Bank Details Rest API
Save Bank Details Rest API
Get Genealogy JSON Rest API
Get Total Earning Rest API
Get Current Balance Rest API
Get Payout Details Rest API
Get Payout List Rest API
Get Commissions List Rest API
Withdrawal Request Rest API
Get Withdrawal List Rest API

If you want to know more information and any queries regarding Unilevel MLM Rest API Woocommerce WordPress Plugin, you can contact our experts through 
Skype: jks0586, 
Mail: letscmsdev@gmail.com,
Website: www.letscms.com, www.mlmtrees.com,
Call/WhatsApp/WeChat: +91-9717478599.  

more information : https://www.mlmtrees.com/product/unilevel-mlm-woocommerce-rest-api-addon

Visit Documentation : https://letscms.com/documents/umw_apis/umw-apis-addon-documentation.html

#Unilevel_MLM_WooCommerce_Rest_API's_Addon #umw_mlm_rest_api #rest_api_woocommerce_unilevel #rest_api_in_woocommerce #rest_api_woocommerce #rest_api_woocommerce_documentation #rest_api_woocommerce_php #api_rest_de_woocommerce #woocommerce_rest_api_in_android #woocommerce_rest_api_in_wordpress #Rest_API_Woocommerce_unilevel_mlm #wp_rest_api_woocommerce

What is REST API? An Overview | Liquid Web

What is REST?

The REST acronym is defined as a “REpresentational State Transfer” and is designed to take advantage of existing HTTP protocols when used for Web APIs. It is very flexible in that it is not tied to resources or methods and has the ability to handle different calls and data formats. Because REST API is not constrained to an XML format like SOAP, it can return multiple other formats depending on what is needed. If a service adheres to this style, it is considered a “RESTful” application. REST allows components to access and manage functions within another application.

REST was initially defined in a dissertation by Roy Fielding’s twenty years ago. He proposed these standards as an alternative to SOAP (The Simple Object Access Protocol is a simple standard for accessing objects and exchanging structured messages within a distributed computing environment). REST (or RESTful) defines the general rules used to regulate the interactions between web apps utilizing the HTTP protocol for CRUD (create, retrieve, update, delete) operations.

What is an API?

An API (or Application Programming Interface) provides a method of interaction between two systems.

What is a RESTful API?

A RESTful API (or application program interface) uses HTTP requests to GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE data following the REST standards. This allows two pieces of software to communicate with each other. In essence, REST API is a set of remote calls using standard methods to return data in a specific format.

The systems that interact in this manner can be very different. Each app may use a unique programming language, operating system, database, etc. So, how do we create a system that can easily communicate and understand other apps?? This is where the Rest API is used as an interaction system.

When using a RESTful API, we should determine in advance what resources we want to expose to the outside world. Typically, the RESTful API service is implemented, keeping the following ideas in mind:

• Format: There should be no restrictions on the data exchange format
• Implementation: REST is based entirely on HTTP
• Service Definition: Because REST is very flexible, API can be modified to ensure the application understands the request/response format.
• The RESTful API focuses on resources and how efficiently you perform operations with it using HTTP.

The features of the REST API design style state:

• Each entity must have a unique identifier.
• Standard methods should be used to read and modify data.
• It should provide support for different types of resources.
• The interactions should be stateless.

For REST to fit this model, we must adhere to the following rules:

• Client-Server Architecture: The interface is separate from the server-side data repository. This affords flexibility and the development of components independently of each other.
• Detachment: The client connections are not stored on the server between requests.
• Cacheability: It must be explicitly stated whether the client can store responses.
• Multi-level: The API should work whether it interacts directly with a server or through an additional layer, like a load balancer.

#tutorials #api #application #application programming interface #crud #http #json #programming #protocols #representational state transfer #rest #rest api #rest api graphql #rest api json #rest api xml #restful #soap #xml #yaml

Affiliate B2C REST API, Business to Customer, WooCommerce, Price USA

B2C Custom Policy with REST API | Business to Customer Rest API Price USA, Philippines : Business to Customer REST API for Woo-Commerce will empower your Woo-commerce site with the most powerful Woo-Commerce REST API, you will be able to get and send data to your marketplace from other mobile apps or websites using HTTP Rest API request.
Our API’s handle the woo-commerce frontend all functionalities like customer login/register. You can request for any type of information which is listed below, our API will provide you managed results for your all frontend needs, which will be useful for your applications like Mobile App etc.
Our plugin is used JWT authentication to authorization process.

If you want to know more information and any queries regarding Business to Customer Rest API Woocommerce WordPress Plugin, you can contact our experts through.
Skype: jks0586,
Email: letscmsdev@gmail.com,
Website: www.letscms.com, www.mlmtrees.com,
Call/WhatsApp/WeChat: +91-9717478599.

more information : https://www.mlmtrees.com/product/woocommerce-b2c-rest-api

Vedio : https://www-ccv.adobe.io/v1/player/ccv/Uxr7n4K9GQW/embed?api_key=behance1&bgcolor=%23191919
 

#b2c_rest_api #rest_api #rest_api_Woocommerce #Genealogy #Rest_API #Restful_API #Rest_API_Plugin #b2c #business_to_customer_api #Frontend_for_REST_API #b2c_rest_api #woocommerce_api #woo_rest_api #wp_rest_api #WordPress_rest_api #lets_woo_apis_is_fully_integrated 
 

Graphql vs Rest: “What the Fudge” Issues I Faced Consuming a 50+ Endpoint Rest API

We see a lot of articles that tout the features of graphql, praising its advantages over rest API’s, I do mostly agree with these articles, but I’ll like to present its advantages from another perspective — by elaborating some issues I had integrating a 50+ rest api in an app.

Issue #1 What You See is Not Always What You Get.

API Documentation isn’t documentation when it doesn’t accurately represent the complete range of input-output relationships.

The api docs whilst mostly accurate, left me guessing at which data types were accepted and the range of values fields could take.

Using a standard rest API felt like I had to have “faith” on the documentation in exactly what had to be returned, and frustration ensued when it didn’t correlate with expectations.

#rest-api #graphql #graphql-vs-rest #api