In recent years, GraphQL has gained significant traction as a powerful query language for APIs due to its flexibility and efficiency in fetching data. When coupled with Node.js, a versatile JavaScript runtime, and PostgreSQL, a robust open-source relational database, developers can create high-performing, scalable, and maintainable applications. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the integration of GraphQL with Node.js and PostgreSQL, exploring the benefits and providing insights into implementation.
GraphQL is a query language for APIs and a runtime for executing those queries. Unlike traditional REST APIs, GraphQL enables clients to request only the data they need, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching issues. It allows clients to define the structure of the data they require, providing a more efficient and customized approach to data retrieval.
Before we begin, ensure you have the following installed on your machine:
Related read: What is GraphQL? Learn How GraphQL Is Revolutionizing API Development
Let’s start by creating a new Node.js project and installing the necessary dependencies.
mkdir graphql-node-postgresql
cd graphql-node-postgresql
npm init -y
npm install apollo-server graphql pgAssuming you have PostgreSQL installed and running, let’s create a simple database and a tasks table.
CREATE DATABASE graphql_node_postgresql;
\c graphql_node_postgresql;
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS public.tasks
(
id integer NOT NULL,
name character(250),
isCompleted boolean DEFAULT false,
CONSTRAINT tasks_pkey PRIMARY KEY (id)
)Above step involves creating a PostgreSQL database named “graphql_node_postgresql” and a table named “tasks” within that database. The “tasks” table will have columns for “id” (an integer), “name” (a character string with a maximum length of 250 characters), and “isCompleted” (a boolean indicating whether the task is completed, defaulting to false). The primary key constraint is set on the “id” column to ensure each task has a unique identifier.
Related read: Building Powerful REST APIs with Node.js, Prisma ORM, and PostgreSQL
Now, let’s define the GraphQL schema that represents our data model. Create a file named types.js:
const { gql } = require("apollo-server");
const typeDefs = gql`
type Task {
id: Int
name: String
isCompleted: Boolean
}
type TaskResult {
id: Int
message: String
tasks: [Task]
}
type Mutation {
task(name: String): TaskResult!
}
type Query {
tasks: TaskResult!
}
`;
module.exports = typeDefs;Here’s a breakdown of the code snippet:
Resolvers are functions responsible for fetching the data for each field defined in the schema. Create a file named resolvers.js to define the resolvers for graphQL:
const pool = require("./db");
const resolvers = {
Query: {
tasks: async () => {
try {
const result = await pool.query(`SELECT * FROM tasks`);
return { tasks: result.rows, message: "found" };
} catch (error) {
return { message: error.message };
}
},
},
Mutation: {
task: async (root, args) => {
try {
let { name } = args;
const result = await pool.query(`INSERT INTO tasks (name)
VALUES ($1)`, [name]);
return { message: "Task added successfully" };
} catch (error) {
return { message: error.message };
}
},
},
};
module.exports = resolvers;Here’s a breakdown of the code snippet:
Create a file named db.js to set up the PostgreSQL connection:
const Pool = require('pg').Pool
const pool = new Pool({
user: 'postgres',
host: 'localhost',
database: 'graphql_node_postgresql',
password: 'postgres',
port: 5432,
})
module.exports = pool;Create a file named index.js to set up the GraphQL server:
const { ApolloServer } = require("apollo-server");
const typeDefs = require("./types");
const resolvers = require("./resolver");
const server = new ApolloServer({ typeDefs, resolvers });
server.listen().then(({ url }) => {
console.log(`Server ready at ${url}`);
});Here’s a breakdown of the code snippet:
node index.jsThis command will start the GraphQL server, and it will be ready to accept incoming requests at the specified URL
(http://localhost:4000/graphql by default).
The integration of GraphQL with Node.js and PostgreSQL offers a powerful and efficient solution for building modern APIs and applications. By utilizing GraphQL’s query flexibility, Node.js’s event-driven architecture, and PostgreSQL’s reliability, developers can create scalable and performant systems while maintaining flexibility and ease of development. Embracing this technology stack empowers developers to meet evolving business needs and deliver exceptional user experiences in today’s dynamic digital landscape.
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