GraphQL
GraphQL is a query language for APIs that lets an application ask for exactly the data it needs, and nothing more, from a server.
How it works
Unlike traditional REST APIs that return fixed data structures, GraphQL allows clients to specify the precise shape of the response. This makes it highly efficient for complex applications, reducing the number of network requests and preventing over-fetching or under-fetching of data.
Examples
- 1.A mobile app fetching only a user's name and profile picture, instead of an entire user profile object.
- 2.A dashboard that combines data from multiple backend services (like user info and recent orders) in a single API request.
- 3.A content-rich website where the frontend dynamically requests different content types (articles, images, author bios) based on the page being built.