🎯 GraphQL Explained Like You're 5

Order exactly what you want, nothing more

Day 27 of 149

👉 Full deep-dive with code examples

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The Custom Order

At most restaurants, you order a whole meal:

• Burger + fries + drink + salad

But you maybe just wanted the burger! 🍔

GraphQL lets you order exactly what you need!

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REST vs GraphQL

REST (fixed menu):

GET /user/5
Returns: name, email, address, phone, birthday,
         avatar, preferences, history, ...

You get everything, even stuff you don't need!

GraphQL (custom order):

{
  user(id: 5) {
    name
    email
  }
}

You get exactly: name and email. That's it!

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The Magic

One endpoint, infinite flexibility:

{
  user(id: 5) {
    name
    posts {
      title
      likes
    }
    friends {
      name
    }
  }
}

Get user + their posts + their friends in ONE request!

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When to Use

• REST: Simple CRUD, standard needs
• GraphQL: Complex data needs, mobile apps (save bandwidth)

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In One Sentence

GraphQL lets you ask for exactly the data you need in one request, nothing more, nothing less.

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