GraphQL

API Design for Global Platforms Global platforms reach users across continents, and networks vary in reliability and speed. An API must be predictable, fast, and easy to adopt for teams in different time zones. Start with a clear contract: REST for broad compatibility, GraphQL for precise data needs, or gRPC for streaming and high throughput. Apply the chosen style consistently across services and document it well. Provide a single source of truth for endpoints, schemas, and error formats. ...

The Role of APIs in Modern Software Architectures APIs are the connective tissue of modern software systems. They define how components talk, set the rules for data exchange, and let teams work in parallel. From small apps to large cloud platforms, well designed APIs shorten integration cycles and reduce risk. They arrive in various styles—REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and streaming APIs—and each fits different needs. A good API acts as a contract: it exposes only what callers need, hides internal complexity, and supports evolution without breaking existing users. This decoupling makes services easier to test, deploy, and scale. ...

Protocols for Modern Web Communication Web applications use a stack of protocols to move data between clients and servers. At the base are transport rules, which decide how packets travel. On top, security protects privacy. Above that, application protocols define how services talk to each other. Knowing these layers helps developers build faster, safer sites and clearer APIs. Transport protocols HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, and HTTP/3 are the main options today. HTTP/3 runs over QUIC, a modern transport that reduces latency and improves multiplexing. HTTP/2 adds binary framing and header compression, which cuts some round trips. HTTP/3 aims to keep connections lighter and faster, even on imperfect networks. In practice, many sites still support HTTP/1.1 for compatibility, but upgrading to HTTP/3 can bring noticeable gains. ...

Building Modern APIs: REST, GraphQL, and gRPC Choosing an API style depends on what you build. REST, GraphQL, and gRPC each fit different goals. Understanding their strengths helps you design interfaces that last. The right mix can speed development and improve the experience for developers and users alike. REST treats data as resources. Use clear nouns in the URL, such as /users or /orders. Use HTTP methods to act on resources: GET, POST, PUT, DELETE. REST calls are stateless, cache-friendly, and easy to test in the browser. For public APIs, REST often remains the simplest path. ...

Serving Data with RESTful and GraphQL APIs APIs are the bridge between data and apps. Two popular styles are RESTful APIs and GraphQL. They share a goal—send the right data to the right client—but they do this in different ways. This article compares the approaches and gives practical tips for real projects. RESTful APIs use resources and URLs, with standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. They work well with caching, observability, and simple tooling. A client requests a resource, the server returns data, and HTTP status codes tell the client what happened. Good REST design uses clear noun-based paths, stable resources, and a light touch on versioning. ...

APIs and Middleware: Building Flexible System Integrations APIs and middleware work together to connect apps and data across a modern tech stack. An API exposes a service, while middleware sits between callers and the service, shaping requests and responses. This pair helps teams move faster, swap components easier, and maintain security and reliability as the system grows. Middleware plays several practical roles. It can authenticate users, route and load balance traffic, transform data between formats, and collect metrics for managers. By keeping these concerns separate from business logic, developers can focus on features while operators improve safety and performance. ...

Web API Design: REST, GraphQL, and Beyond Web APIs power modern apps, from mobile clients to cloud services. REST and GraphQL are popular choices, but the best design fits who uses the API and what data they need. A good design helps teams move fast and keeps integrations reliable. REST basics REST treats data as resources exposed at clear URLs. Actions use standard HTTP methods: GET to read, POST to create, PUT or PATCH to update, and DELETE to remove. Status codes communicate results, while headers guide caching and versioning. For example, GET /books lists books, GET /books/42 retrieves one item, and POST /books creates a new book. Think about pagination for large lists, filtering for client needs, and a version in the path or header to avoid breaking changes. ...

Designing Scalable APIs for Modern Apps Today, apps must serve many users and devices. A good API keeps data safe, responses fast, and changes smooth. The goal is to design APIs that work now and grow later, without breaking existing clients. Key design principles Clear, stable contracts with explicit schemas and predictable responses. Stateless services that store session data outside requests. Backward compatibility and a published deprecation plan. Observability from day one: logs, metrics, and traces to diagnose issues quickly. Simple security: consistent auth, TLS, and least privilege. Patterns that scale ...

RESTful APIs versus GraphQL When to Use Which Choosing between RESTful APIs and GraphQL can feel like picking between two solid tools. Both work well in different situations. The right choice depends on your app, data needs, and team skills. RESTful APIs shine when you want clear resources. Each endpoint maps to a resource, HTTP verbs drive actions, and caching is straightforward with HTTP headers. If your app mostly reads and writes a fixed data set, REST stays simple and reliable. ...

REST, GraphQL, and gRPC: API Design Patterns APIs guide how apps talk to services. Three popular patterns are REST, GraphQL, and gRPC. Each has strengths and tradeoffs. The right choice depends on who uses the API, what data is needed, and how fast you want to be. REST presents resources as URLs and uses standard HTTP methods. It scales well with caching, pagination, and clear status codes. A typical pattern is to fetch a list of items with GET /products and then get details with GET /products/{id}. Updates use POST, PUT, or PATCH. REST is easy to learn and widely supported by tooling. ...