March 2021 Summaries

In the Learn GraphQL tutorial, developers can learn how GraphQL simplifies data-fetching and state management for front-end developers and acts as a structured API for backend developers. To get started with building full-stack GraphQL applications, two training resources are available: the Apollo Course Platform's Lift-off series and the Official Apollo Full-stack GraphQL Tutorial. The Lift-off series teaches core components of a full-stack GraphQL app, including schema-first development, GraphQL's Schema Definition Language, and connecting to the GraphQL API from the front-end using Apollo Client and React. In contrast, the Official Apollo Full-stack GraphQL Tutorial builds an interactive app for reserving a seat on an upcoming SpaceX launch, covering topics such as building a GraphQL schema, fetching and displaying data with Apollo Client and React, and sourcing data from REST APIs and databases.

GraphQL is a query language that provides a flexible and robust way to ask for data, allowing developers to use JavaScript to execute queries anywhere. GraphQL.js is the reference implementation of GraphQL in JavaScript, adhering to the official GraphQL specification. To get started with GraphQL.js, install the library using npm or Yarn, create a new project folder, initialize a Node.js project, and write code in an index.js file. The example demonstrates how to construct a schema, define resolvers for fields, and run queries using JavaScript. Once installed, running the query results in a response with the requested data, providing a foundation for building GraphQL APIs with JavaScript.

GraphQL Search and Filter provides an overview of how to add filtering capabilities to a GraphQL API. The concept of searching and filtering is explained as two different ways to find items that match certain criteria, with the word "filter" used instead of "search". The examples cover filtering for specific items, filtering down lists, and filtering for items matching a list. Additionally, complex filtering using an Input Type is introduced, which encapsulates all possible filtering options in a single parameter. The article concludes by highlighting the benefits of using Apollo Explorer as a free cloud GraphQL IDE that provides productivity-boosting features such as one-click query building and development graphs.

To manually test a GraphQL API using Postman, start by cloning the Apollo Server Starter project and installing the necessary dependencies. Review the schema of your API to understand how data is structured. Then, open Postman and create a new query with the URL of the request, selecting POST as the method. Formulate the body of the request by choosing GraphQL from the Body options, then write or paste your query into the Query window. Finally, add variables to apply sorting and filtering if needed, and click the Send button to execute the query. This allows you to verify that your API is working correctly, and can be used in conjunction with a GraphQL IDE like Apollo Explorer for more advanced testing and development capabilities.

Square, a company that started with a credit card reader in 2009, has grown into an international company providing various products and platforms to businesses and individuals. To provide a consistent customer experience across multiple touchpoints, Square works with Apollo GraphQL to build a better experience for their customers. They have moved away from a monolithic API service to a federated architecture using Apollo Federation, which allows them to reuse logic and behavior, declare the capabilities of their services, and automate composition in a continuous integration system. This approach enables them to provide an exceptional customer experience while scaling efficiently.

This guide provides an overview of using Apollo Client with Next.js for data fetching in three different modes: static rendering, server-side rendering, and client-side rendering. It covers the benefits and tradeoffs of each approach and demonstrates how to configure Apollo Client for each mode. The guide starts by explaining the basics of data fetching options in Next.js and then dives into setting up an app with Apollo Client. It shows how to use Apollo Client for statically rendered page data, server-side generated pages, and client-side rendering. The guide also highlights the importance of using hooks and custom components to ensure efficient data fetching on the client side. Overall, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of using Apollo Client with Next.js for data fetching in different modes.

GraphQL is the modern way to create flexible, robust, and strictly-typed APIs. Creating a books API from scratch involves setting up a new project, installing dependencies, creating an index.js file, defining the schema, writing resolvers, and initializing an ApolloServer instance. The server can then be run, allowing clients to query the API using a GraphQL IDE like Apollo Explorer. Next steps include continuing to build out the API, implementing authentication and authorization, securing the API from malicious requests, splitting the schema into multiple files, integrating client-side GraphQL libraries, and deploying the API to production.

GraphQL Summit is a two-day event that will take place on April 7th, 2021, with the first day focused on GraphQL-focused talks, and the second day dedicated to companies scaling with GraphQL. The event features various talks on Subscriptions, Federation, Testing, Apollo Client, and more, including sessions by industry experts such as Mandi Wise, Ankita Kulkarni, Jason Lengstorf, Taz Singh, Kyle Schrade, Ash Narcisse, Faraz Ahmad, and others. Registrants for Day One will receive notifications when the recordings are posted online, while those who have already registered can look forward to receiving a link to watch the day one recordings after the event. The second day, GraphQL Summit Scale, is geared towards companies scaling with GraphQL, and its schedule will be announced soon through sign-up notifications. Overall, GraphQL Summit promises to deliver two days of engaging learning experiences for attendees.

Using Express with GraphQL – How to create a GraphQL server with Node.js/Express` demonstrates how to use Apollo Server as middleware on an existing HTTP server, specifically with Express.js. The process involves installing the necessary packages and setting up a schema using GraphQL schema language. The resulting GraphQL API can be served at `http://localhost:4000/graphql`, offering advantages such as serving both REST and GraphQL simultaneously and utilizing Node.js middleware for common problems like rate-limiting and security. However, this approach requires more boilerplate than using Apollo Server directly, but performance concerns are minimal due to the wrapper nature of Apollo Server-express over Apollo Server.