Question

What is the main difference between REST APIs and GraphQL in a Node.js application?

I'm building a Node.js application and trying to decide between REST APIs and GraphQL. What are the main differences, and when should I use one over the other?

Answer 1

Aspect	REST API	GraphQL
Endpoints	Multiple endpoints for different resources (e.g., /users, /posts)	Single endpoint (e.g., /graphql) for all queries and mutations.
Data Fetching	Fixed responses with predefined data structures, leading to potential over-fetching or under-fetching.	Allows clients to request exactly the data they need, eliminating over-fetching and under-fetching
Flexibility	Limited flexibility in customizing responses; modifications often require creating new endpoints or modifying existing ones.	Highly flexible; response format is defined by the query, adapting easily to client needs.
Performance	Can result in multiple HTTP requests for related data, impacting efficiency.	One request can fetch all related data, improving performance by reducing round-trips.
Caching	Can leverage HTTP caching headers efficiently.	Requires additional tools like Apollo Client for effective caching