GraphQL: The Enterprise Honeymoon Is Over
2 days ago
- #Enterprise
- #GraphQL
- #API Design
- GraphQL's main problem-solving focus is overfetching, but this is often already addressed by BFFs in enterprise setups.
- GraphQL implementation is more time-consuming than REST due to schema, type, and resolver definitions.
- GraphQL's observability is worse by default, with unconventional status codes complicating error tracking.
- Caching in GraphQL, while theoretically impressive, is fragile and adds complexity.
- GraphQL's requirement for unique IDs on every object doesn't align with many enterprise APIs, leading to additional workarounds.
- Handling binary data like file uploads/downloads is awkward in GraphQL, often reverting to REST.
- Onboarding new developers is slower with GraphQL due to its steeper learning curve compared to REST.
- Error handling in GraphQL is more complex, with nullable fields and partial data complicating responses.
- GraphQL is niche and often unnecessary in enterprise environments where existing solutions already address its intended problems.