A Lot of people face these problems, so they must be addressed. If you want the answer to this question then you are on the right page!
First of all, I would like to give you a quick review of GraphQL. GraphQL is a query language for your API (application programming interface). It is not tied to any specific database, moreover, it is backed by your existing data. It provided runtime for fulfilling the queries associated with existing data.
GraphQL is detrimental from a maintenance point of view. This makes simple applications more complex. Let’s understand it with an example, in an application we use some fields in the same way whenever we want.GraphQL adds complexity to the things like mutators, resolvers, queries, and high-order components.
Let’s understand its usage from the research point of view. About 1886 companies use GraphQL in different technologies including Instagram and Facebook. According to a report, about 19.5% used GraphQL as a publicly available API, 40.4% used a private API, and 47.9% used it for a personal website.
Problems with GraphQL
Let’s discuss some common problems associated with GraphQL:
1. Caching:
Caching is made on HTTP specifications. They are anchorage with RESTful API. The problem with GraphQL is that it does not follow HTTP. Moreover, it uses a single endpoint. so because of this cache becomes hard. We can solve this problem by using persistent queries.
2. Exposed for arbitrary requests:
One feature of GraphQL is that it shows the data which clients need. But it is problematic for an open API. Because the organizations cannot control the query of 3rd party clients.To solve this problem great care is needed so that GraphQL cannot bring down server performance and also keep an eye on the DDOS of the server.
3. Schema duplication:
When you code GraphQL backend from scratch, in the case of schema you realize that it has similar but not identical codes. Therefore you need two schemas:
- One for database
- 2nd for GraphQL endpoint.
So it is frustrating to write the same thing twice. Its solution is graph schema generation. You can use the simple schema as a java scripted object. After that convert the Javascript string into a GraphQL string.For example Number into Int.
4. Handling file upload:
When you upload the file on GraphQL then mutations do not accept files. To solve this problem you should use other APIs like REST as it is becoming common nowadays.REST has a feature that places the URL of the file in GraphQL mutations. So you can find the file in the resolver function.
5. Rigidness of queries:
GraphQL removes the ability of DSLs on top of API. Let’s understand it with an example that Elasticsearch for API is RESTFUL as well as it has powerful Elasticsearch DSLs for advanced aggregating calculations. These queries become harder when discussing GraphQL language.
Conclusions:
In my opinion, GraphQL is a more powerful tool than REST. But if you face slow performance and face lower complexity then you should use REST. In this article, I discuss some common issues about GraphQL with you including caching, arbitrary requests, schema duplication, handling file upload, and rigidness in queries with you.
I also recommend some easy solutions to these common problems. Now, if you face the same issues then apply these solutions. Let me know if they are working on your device .In the comment sections are given below. Link.