Integrate GraphQL with React for Powerful APIs

In modern web development, the API plays a key role in the exchange of data between client and server. Traditional REST APIs remain popular, but they have a number of limitations that make data handling difficult. Web Development with GraphQL and React offers an alternative approach that solves many REST problems and makes working with the API more flexible and convenient.

Why is REST not always effective?

Although REST remains the standard for building an API, it faces several important problems:

Overfetching — the client gets more data than it needs, since the server returns fixed structures.
Underfetching — sometimes a single request is not enough, and you have to make additional API calls to get the missing information.
Fixed Endpoints — each entity has its own Endpoint, which makes it difficult to scale and support the API.

GraphQL as a solution to REST problems

Web Development with GraphQL and React is a query language for the API that allows the client to request only the data they require and get it in a convenient structure. This gives several key advantages:

Request flexibility
- The client determines what data it requires, and the server returns only requested information.
- Reduces data redundancy and network queries.
Requests in one call
- You can request related data in one query, such as user and publication information.
- Eliminates the need to make multiple consecutive requests.
Single Endpoint
- Instead of a set of endpoints, as in REST, a single /graphql is used which handles any queries.
- Simplifies API support and it’s versioning.
Typecarity and self-documentation
- GraphQL uses a strictly typed schema, which reduces the risk of errors and improves autocompletion in development tools.
- Customers can explore APIs with GraphiQL or Apollo Studio without having to read external documentation.
Efficient caching and updating of data
- GraphQL works great with client cache, which increases performance.
- Ability to use subscriptions (subscriptions) for real-time data updates.

Why integrate GraphQL with React

The MVP development GraphQL APIs integration with React gives developers from Celadonsoft a powerful tool for effective data management in client applications. This approach improves performance, simplifies API handling and reduces the number of requests to the server.

1. Flexibility and accuracy of requests

GraphQL allows the client to request only necessary data, avoiding excessive transmission of information. Unlike REST, where you have to work with fixed endpoints, GraphQL provides a single entry point for all data.

What does that give?

Optimization of the traffic between client and server
Reduce network load and speed up page load
Ability to combine multiple queries into one

2. Improved state management in React

With the help of Apollo Client or Relay, Celadonsoft’s developers can easily manage Web Development with GraphQL and React data caching and updating in React components. This reduces dependency on global states and makes the code more readable.

Key benefits:

Automatic interface update when data changes
Built-in mechanisms for caching and reusing queries
Support asynchronous operations without complex processing logic

3. Simplified working with the backend

GraphQL server provides a single data source for all client applications (web, mobile devices etc.). This allows frontend developers from Celadonsoft to work with data without having to change the API every time new requirements appear.

What are the benefits?

No need to create multiple REST endpoints
Reduced development time and API support
Ability to adapt quickly to new business requirements

Create and Configure GraphQL Server

We need a server part to develop the GraphQL API. Let’s consider the process of creating it using Node.js and Apollo Server.

1. Setting Dependencies

Install the required packages:

npm install apollo-server graphql

2. Defining the GraphQL Scheme

GraphQL API is built on the basis of a schema, where data types and available operations are described. We will create schema.js:

const { gql } = require('apollo-server');

const typeDefs = gql`

  type User {

    id: ID!

    name: String!

    email: String!

  }

  type Query {

    users: [User]

  }

';

module.exports = typeDefs;

3. Server Start

Now we will configure and run the server in index.js:

server.listen(). then(({ url }) => {

  console.log(‘Server ready at ${url}’);

});

After the server is started, it will be available at the specified address, where you can test your requests through GraphQL Playground.

Connecting React-Applications to GraphQL Server

GraphQL integration in the React application can significantly simplify your work with data and interaction with the server. Further, we will describe the basic steps of how to connect to the Apollo Client and start working with the API.

Mutations (Data Change)

Example of sending data from useMutation:

mutation AddUser($name: String!, $email: String!) {

addUser(name: $name, email: $email) {

      id

      name

      email
    }

  }

`;

function AddUserForm() {

  const [addUser] = useMutation(ADD_USER);

    e.preventDefault();

  };

  return <button onClick={handleSubmit}>Add User</button>;

}

Query Optimization and Caching Management

One of the most important factors in GraphQL-client performance is effective data management. Let’s look at some significant features of optimization.

1. Query Variables

Variables enable flexible query management:

const GET_USER = gql

  query GetUser($id: ID!) {

    user(id: $id) {

      name

      email

    }

  }

';

const { data } = useQuery(GET_USER, { variables: { id: "1" } });

2. Caching and Updating Data

Apollo Client caches data out of the box. However, when the information is changed it is necessary to update the cache:

const [addUser] = useMutation(ADD_USER, {

  update(cache, { data: { addUser } }) {

    cache.modify({

      fields: {

        users(existingUsers = []

return [.existingUsers, addUser]

        }

      }

    });

  }

});

3. Working With Subscriptions (Real-Time Update)

GraphQL supports WebSocket subscriptions to work with updated data in real time. Example of subscription:

const USER_ADDED = gql

  subscription {

    userAdded {

      id

name

      email

    }

  }

';

const { data } = useSubscription(USER_ADDED);

Conclusion

Integrating GraphQL with React will provide you with a high-performance and flexible API, fast data access, and light management of application state. And now, let’s summarize all the information and point out the main pros of such an approach.

Main Pros of Integrating GraphQL and React

Flexibility in requests: getting only the data needed minimizes network overload.
Effective State Management: It is possible to operate with both global and local state without additional tools with Apollo Client and some other libraries.
Performance optimization comes with such features as built-in caching, subscription for updates, and minimizing repeat requests. Easy Scaling: Easily extend the API and add new functions without changes on the client side.

When Should I Choose GraphQL?

The following are those scenarios where GraphQL can be used very effectively: Applications that require dynamic and complex data, such as dashboards, social networks, and marketing forums; mobile applications when you want to minimize the data being transferred; and microservice architecture when you want to combine several sources in one API.

GTISC