GraphQL vs. REST: When to Use What?
As APIs continue to be the backbone of modern web and mobile applications, developers are often faced with a key decision: GraphQL or REST ? While both serve the purpose of data exchange between client and server, they do so in fundamentally different ways. So how do you choose the right one for your project? Let’s explore both technologies, their strengths and weaknesses, and when to use what. What is REST? REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style that uses HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to interact with resources. It has been the de facto standard for APIs for years. Pros of REST: Simplicity: Easy to understand and implement. Stateless: Each request contains all necessary information, enhancing scalability. Wide Adoption: Mature ecosystem, tools, and support. Caching: HTTP-level caching is straightforward. Cons of REST: Over-fetching/Under-fetching: Clients often receive too much or too little dat...