Integrating Meteor With Graphql
Introduction to GraphQL and its Benefits
GraphQL is a query language for APIs that provides an alternative to REST. It was introduced by Facebook as a way to solve the complexities of dealing with multiple clients with different requirements. Since then, GraphQL has been adopted by many top companies like Airbnb, GitHub, and Pinterest. In this article, we will discuss the basics of GraphQL and its benefits.
What is GraphQL?
GraphQL is a query language for APIs that was created by Facebook in 2012 and publically released in 2015. It allows the client to define what data it needs, and the server responds with exactly that. In contrast to REST, where multiple endpoints are needed to retrieve or modify different types of data, GraphQL has a single endpoint for all queries and mutations. The client can request as much or as little data as it needs, eliminating overfetching or underfetching data problems.
GraphQL basics
GraphQL has three fundamental parts: queries, mutations, and subscriptions.
1. Queries: A query in GraphQL is used to retrieve data from the backend. The client defines the fields it needs, and the server returns that data in the exact same shape.
2. Mutations: Mutations are used to change data in the backend. The client defines what data it will change and what values will be updated, deleted, or created, and the server executes that command.
3. Subscriptions: GraphQL can also be used to implement real-time functionality by making use of subscriptions. Subscriptions are used to listen to changes in data in the backend and pushing those changes to the client instantly.
How GraphQL benefits applications
1. Better performance: In REST, multiple endpoints are used to retrieve or modify different types of data, and this can cause overfetching or underfetching of data. With GraphQL, request methods do not matter, and the client requests the exact data it needs. Therefore, there is no need for multiple round trips to the server for different data needs.
2. Improved developer experience: In REST APIs, the API has to be designed to cater to each client's needs, causing confusion and duplication of functionality. In contrast, GraphQL's self-documenting feature helps developers understand how to use the API, and it also provides documentation without any additional effort.
3. Easier API evolution: Changes to GraphQL APIs do not break clients. This is because GraphQL uses schemas. Whenever a client makes a request, it specifies which fields it requires, and the server responds with only those fields. The server is free to make changes to the schema as long as it continues to serve the fields that clients request. As a result, applications built on GraphQL can evolve more easily compared to applications built on REST.
4. Reduced network traffic: In REST, overfetching or underfetching often results in unnecessary network traffic. This affects the performance of the application. With GraphQL, you can request only the data you need and avoid unnecessary network traffic.
5. Flexibility: GraphQL provides the ability to combine multiple resources into a single request and has the ability to handle recursive queries. For instance, you can request a list of blog posts and, at the same time, query the author of each post with a single request.
6. Increased code reliability: GraphQL uses strong typing, and this leads to increased code reliability and fewer errors.
7. Integrating with Meteor using Apollo: Meteor is a full-stack JavaScript platform that allows developers to build real-time applications. Meteor is a perfect fit for integrating with GraphQL because GraphQL is designed for real-time data transfer and so is Meteor. Apollo is a widely-used GraphQL client that can be easily integrated with Meteor, providing numerous benefits like easy-to-use APIs, real-time database synchronization, server-side rendering, and much more. By integrating with Meteor using Apollo, it's possible to build real-time applications with ease.
8. Defining GraphQL schemas and types in Meteor: Schemas are the backbone of GraphQL applications as they define the structure of data available in the application. In Meteor, schemas can be declared using the GraphQL.js library. GraphQL.js is a JavaScript implementation of the GraphQL specification and is widely used. Types define the shape of data that can be queried or mutated using GraphQL operations. Types can be custom, scalar, or built-in, and they can be defined in the Meteor application using GraphQL.js. Defining GraphQL schemas and types in Meteor is crucial as they act as a blueprint for the application's data which helps to maintain consistency and coherence in the data model.
9. Querying data with GraphQL in a Meteor application: Queries are an essential part of any database-driven application. In a Meteor application, queries are used to retrieve data from a server and display it to the user. With GraphQL's flexible yet clear syntax, it's easy to query data in a Meteor application. The Apollo GraphQL client can be used to perform queries against the Meteor server and fetch data in real-time. Queries can also be nested and reused, increasing the performance of the application. Overall, GraphQL's ability to query data in a Meteor application is one of its significant advantages over other technologies.
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