The Art of API Design: From REST to GraphQL

An API is the backbone of any modern application, serving as the contract between the frontend and backend. A well-designed API can accelerate development and improve maintainability, while a poorly designed one can lead to frustration and technical debt. This post explores the principles of effective API design. We'll start with the fundamentals of REST, discussing resource naming, HTTP methods, status codes, and versioning. Then, we'll transition to GraphQL, a query language for APIs that offers a more flexible and efficient alternative. We'll compare the two approaches, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses, and discuss when to choose one over the other. By the end, you'll have a solid framework for designing APIs that are not only functional but also a pleasure for other developers to consume.