Beginning GraphQL: Fetch data faster and more efficiently whilst improving the overall performance of your web application

by Brian Kimokoti

Over-fetching and under-fetching data can negatively impact the performance of your web application. Future-proof your API structure and handle key development requirements by correctly defining types and schemas in GraphQL. Though fairly new, GraphQL is quickly rising in popularity when it comes to API development. This book will teach you everything you need to know to start building efficient APIs with GraphQL. You’ll begin by learning to create a simple scaffold application using Node.js and Express. Then, you’ll explore core GraphQL concepts and study how GraphQL integrates with other frameworks in real-life business applications. By the end of the book, you will be able to successfully create efficient client-server REST-like applications. This book is ideal for developers who want to broaden their understanding of API development. Prior experience to JavaScript is required, with any prior work with React or Node.js being beneficial.

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 26, 2018

Reviews

[Christian Tigse]

d

[William Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Rating Edited from 2 to 3 stars after comments from the author]

Where is the data? While true to form for a Packt book (primarily a tutorial) the entire series of exercises executes and queries local data mostly stored in a single file within the project repository. While in later sections it starts to talk about connecting to actual databases disappointment is all that you are left with when you realize it's just more of the same. What this book lacks is actually examples for retrieving data from common database technologies to integrate with GraphQL API, as well as any mention of scale. While I am sure there are numerous advantages to GraphQL I had difficulties finding any value in using it vs classic REST from how the author introduced and explained the technology.