The Backend Bible

The various methods of backend development.

The Backend Bible: Comparing REST API, RPC/tRPC, and GraphQL

I've had opportunities to build backends in REST and tRPC, and work with an api using GraphQL. Let's compare and contrast these ideas.

REST API: The Classic Approach

Pros:

  • Widely Adopted: REST has been the go-to choice for many years, and there is a wealth of resources and tooling available.
  • Stateless: RESTful APIs are stateless, making them scalable and easy to cache.
  • Simple: The simplicity of REST makes it easy to understand and implement.

Cons:

  • Overfetching/Underfetching: RESTful endpoints may return more data than needed (overfetching) or not enough (underfetching).
  • Versioning Challenges: Handling versioning can be challenging as APIs evolve.

RPC/tRPC: The Type-Strong Alternative

Pros:

  • Type Safety: RPC (Remote Procedure Call) and modern alternatives like tRPC offer strong typing, reducing runtime errors.
  • Efficiency: RPC calls are often more efficient in terms of data transmission compared to REST.
  • Code Generation: Many RPC libraries provide code generation, improving developer productivity.

Cons:

  • Learning Curve: Developers may face a learning curve, especially when transitioning from REST to RPC.
  • Limited Tooling: While rapidly evolving, the tooling ecosystem for some RPC libraries might not be as mature as that of REST.

GraphQL: The Flexible Query Language

Pros:

  • Flexible Data Retrieval: Clients can request only the data they need, eliminating overfetching and underfetching.
  • Real-time Data: GraphQL supports real-time updates through subscriptions.
  • Single Endpoint: A single endpoint simplifies communication between the client and server.

Cons:

  • Complexity: GraphQL can introduce complexity, especially in handling complex data relationships.
  • Overhead: The additional layer of abstraction might introduce some performance overhead.

Conclusion

This Backend Bible serves as a guide for you while designing your projects. The right choice depends on the specific needs and constraints of your project.

Happy coding!