Building an Android app with GraphQL

The article explores the transition from a REST-based architecture to GraphQL for Android applications, illustrating the benefits and implementation process of GraphQL in a mobile development context. It begins by explaining GraphQL as a query language that addresses issues of over-fetching and under-fetching data, offering a single entry point for data retrieval and mutation. The article details setting up a starter project using GitHub's GraphQL API, highlighting the use of tools such as Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, and Hilt for dependency injection. It provides a step-by-step guide on migrating from using Retrofit to ApolloClient, including defining a GraphQL schema and queries for the GitHub server. By refactoring the GithubApi and GithubUserSource to accommodate the new data source, the article demonstrates how GraphQL can be integrated into an Android application for more efficient data handling, without altering the user interface. The author concludes by endorsing the ease of using GraphQL on Android, suggesting that the primary challenge lies in understanding the query syntax, and recommends LogRocket for monitoring Android applications to enhance user experience and troubleshoot issues.