Why GraphQL?
REST APIs force clients to accept whatever data shape the server provides. A mobile app that only needs a user's name and avatar still downloads the entire user object. A dashboard that needs data from five endpoints makes five round trips. GraphQL solves both problems by letting clients specify exactly what data they need in a single request, and the server returns precisely that.
The typed schema serves as living documentation that both frontend and backend teams can reference. Code generation tools create type-safe client code directly from the schema, eliminating the manual type definitions that REST APIs require. When the schema changes, the compiler tells you what broke.
GraphQL's introspection enables powerful developer tooling. Interactive playgrounds, auto-complete in IDEs, and automated documentation all come from the schema definition.
Our Approach
We design GraphQL schemas around domain concepts, not database tables. Queries model what the UI needs to display, and mutations represent meaningful business operations rather than generic CRUD. This keeps the API intuitive and prevents the schema from becoming a thin wrapper over the database.
On the server side, we implement resolvers with DataLoader to batch and deduplicate database queries, preventing the N+1 problem that naive GraphQL implementations suffer from. Query complexity analysis prevents abusive queries from overloading the server. For client-side consumption, we use GraphQL Codegen to generate typed hooks that make data fetching type-safe and ergonomic.
Caching uses Apollo Client's normalized cache for intelligent data sharing between queries.
Real-World Application
GraphQL fits projects where multiple clients need different data views or where UI requirements change frequently without backend changes.
GraphQL patterns we implement:
- Schema-first design with SDL
- DataLoader for query batching
- Persisted queries for security and performance
- Real-time subscriptions for live updates
- Type generation for end-to-end safety
We evaluate GraphQL versus REST based on project requirements rather than defaulting to either.
When to Choose GraphQL
GraphQL shines when multiple clients (web, mobile, third-party) consume the same API with different data needs, when your UI requires data from multiple related entities in a single view, or when your frontend team wants to iterate on data requirements without waiting for backend changes.
REST is simpler and often sufficient for straightforward CRUD APIs, server-to-server communication, or projects with a single client that the same team builds. The overhead of a schema, resolvers, and code generation only pays off when the flexibility is genuinely needed.
Our Track Record
We have designed and implemented GraphQL APIs for applications ranging from content platforms to multi-tenant SaaS products. Our GraphQL projects include federated schemas that compose multiple services, real-time subscriptions for collaborative features, and public APIs with comprehensive documentation. We prioritize schema design that remains stable as business requirements evolve, minimizing breaking changes for consumers.
FAQ
Should we use REST or GraphQL? REST for simple APIs, internal services, or when your team is more familiar with it. GraphQL when you have multiple clients with different data needs, complex nested data requirements, or want frontend developers to iterate independently on data fetching.
How do you prevent the N+1 query problem? Through DataLoader, which batches and deduplicates database queries per request. Every resolver that accesses the database goes through DataLoader to ensure efficient query execution.
What about caching with GraphQL? Apollo Client provides normalized caching on the client side. For HTTP caching, we use persisted queries and CDN caching for read-heavy operations. Server-side caching uses Redis for frequently-accessed data.
Is GraphQL secure? GraphQL has specific security considerations: query depth limits, complexity analysis, and field-level authorization. We implement all of these. Persisted queries prevent arbitrary query execution in production.
Related Solutions
GraphQL integrates with our backend technologies:
- Node.js Development - GraphQL server implementation
- TypeScript Development - Type-safe schema and resolvers
- PostgreSQL Solutions - Database for GraphQL resolvers
- SaaS Development - Multi-client API architectures
- React Development - Apollo Client integration