What is GraphQL?
GraphQL is a query language for application programming interfaces (APIs) and a runtime for executing queries. Unlike REST, which gathers data from multiple endpoints for different resources, GraphQL handles API requests through a single, unified endpoint that spans all available data sources. Additionally, responses from this endpoint are flexible, as the client's request dictates the server's response by specifying which resources, fields, and relationships to retrieve. This enables developers to fetch exactly the data they need with a single query.
Why is GraphQL Important?
Querying a traditional REST API endpoint for specific data often results in responses that return additional, extraneous data while only providing a fraction of the data needed. Moreover, fetching all the necessary data typically involves making API calls to several endpoints, untangling each response, and then connecting the data. These unnecessary data transfers, numerous calls to the server, and linkage operations increase application latency, negatively affecting end-user experiences and ultimately hurting the business.
For example, a prospective home buyer is unlikely to continue using a realty company’s mobile app if they routinely experience significant lag when trying to view property details. They expect the ability to quickly view details from different source data, such as a property’s square footage and school zone, and they may abandon the app if responsiveness is slow.
GraphQL resolves these data retrieval issues and reduces latency by giving developers the ability to request only the exact data needed from a unified endpoint with a single query. Regardless of the complex data relationships, GraphQL APIs can fetch the data required, reducing bandwidth usage and improving application performance.
GraphQL is scalable and developer-friendly, reducing errors and providing greater flexibility and control. It uses a strongly typed schema that ensures queries are valid and syntactically correct before sending them to the server, significantly reducing errors and debugging time. Additionally, it frees developers from repeatedly orchestrating API calls and performing data linkage operations so that they can focus on building more robust applications. It also empowers front-end developers to iterate faster because they don’t need to wait for new endpoints or adjustments to existing ones.
How Precisely Can Help?
GraphQL powers the new Precisely Data Graph API. This powerful tool provides unparalleled access and seamless connectivity to hundreds of curated datasets and thousands of data points in the Precisely Enrichment portfolio, as well as access to data attributes from our industry-leading partners. By combining the flexibility and efficiency afforded by GraphQL with comprehensive and interconnected datasets, Data Graph API enables organizations to easily enhance the depth, completeness, and power of their first-party data.