GraphQL
GraphQL is a query language and runtime for APIs that enables clients to request exactly the data they need, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching issues common in REST APIs. It allows developers to define a schema that describes the data available, and clients can send queries to retrieve multiple resources in a single request, improving efficiency and performance in applications.
Developers should learn GraphQL when building APIs for complex applications with diverse data requirements, such as mobile apps, single-page applications, or microservices architectures, as it provides flexibility and reduces network overhead. It is particularly useful in scenarios where clients need to fetch nested or related data from multiple sources, enabling faster development and better user experiences through optimized data fetching.