GraphQL

Why we chose GraphQL

Centra exclusively offers GraphQL APIs. This allows for selective operations, fetching only what's necessary to accomplish your goals.

In the ecommerce space, data models can grow large. GraphQL is a good fit to reduce the impact of those model sizes, leading to a better shopping experience.

GraphQL vs REST

Coming from REST APIs, it's useful to keep a few things in mind.

• There is no default response data model. You must be explicit in what to be returned. Again, specify only what you need.
• While REST tends to use a rich suite of HTTP response codes, GraphQL may handle errors differently. A 200 OK in GraphQL does not necessarily represent a flawless success. Since a single request may conduct multiple operations, the status of a single request is layered. As an example, the HTTP layer may succeed while operations fail. You can read more here.
• While REST may use the HTTP method to suggest the type of operation, virtually all GraphQL requests are made using POST.
• While REST separates functions by path, GraphQL does so by operations. As a result, all GraphQL requests are sent to the same URL.