GraphQL API development

Build highly-secure GraphQL APIs faster with less code

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Build, optimize and scale GraphQL APIs quickly and easily

One of the fastest growing API formats in recent years is GraphQL. With GraphQL, companies can iterate faster on their APIs and application development by developing a unified GraphQL API layer for all their data.

 Build GraphQL APIs
Rapid GraphQL API Deployment

IBM API Connect® makes it easy to build and deploy a production-level GraphQL API in minutes.
Instant API Generation from Data Sources

Simply provide the connection details of your data source and a secure and optimized GraphQL API will be generated instantly.
Federated Data Integration

You can also combine (or federate) data from multiple sources, such as SQL, NoSQL, REST, SOAP and other GraphQL APIs. 
High-Performance, Secure GraphQL Engine

GraphQL APIs built in API Connect are secure and high performing by nature, since they run in an in-memory, Golang-based GraphQL engine.

How GraphQL API development works

IBM StepZen interface for adding a new GraphQL endpoint from various data sources.
Develop APIs faster with declarative building blocks

Build GraphQL APIs declaratively by composing GraphQL building blocks to create the GraphQL schema. Strong introspection capabilities mean a GraphQL model for enterprise data can be constructed and composed with only a few lines of code.
Code snippet showing deployment imports on code
Manage using a command-line interface (CLI)

Easily manage your schemas, configurations and endpoints with a CLI-first approach and framework in which everything is code file based. This allows your APIs to easily and naturally fit into CI/CD pipelines.
GraphQL Explorer showing a query and its JSON response with address data
Built-in testing and reporting

Test, manage and monitor your GraphQL APIs through a web-based dashboard.
Code snippet showing deployment identity keys and access policies using JWT
Protect your GraphQL APIs with enterprise-level security

Queries, mutations and subscriptions have standards-based, easy-to-use enforcement mechanisms for authorization and authentication to ensure your APIs and data are well protected.
IBM StepZen interface for adding a new GraphQL endpoint from various data sources.
Develop APIs faster with declarative building blocks

Build GraphQL APIs declaratively by composing GraphQL building blocks to create the GraphQL schema. Strong introspection capabilities mean a GraphQL model for enterprise data can be constructed and composed with only a few lines of code.
Code snippet showing deployment imports on code
Manage using a command-line interface (CLI)

Easily manage your schemas, configurations and endpoints with a CLI-first approach and framework in which everything is code file based. This allows your APIs to easily and naturally fit into CI/CD pipelines.
GraphQL Explorer showing a query and its JSON response with address data
Built-in testing and reporting

Test, manage and monitor your GraphQL APIs through a web-based dashboard.
Code snippet showing deployment identity keys and access policies using JWT
Protect your GraphQL APIs with enterprise-level security

Queries, mutations and subscriptions have standards-based, easy-to-use enforcement mechanisms for authorization and authentication to ensure your APIs and data are well protected.

Managing GraphQL APIs

Person working at a desk with multiple monitors displaying code.
Pair API development with API management for more control and optimization of your APIs.

GraphQL is great at providing easy and flexible access to your data, wherever it resides. This ease of creation and usage is great when you’re building new APIs and want to get started quickly. But once you’re ready to scale, you need to take into account factors like performance and cost, especially as it relates to data sources hosted in the cloud. For example:

  • A GraphQL query pulling from a relational database creates a heavier load when joining tables, which can slow the response time.
  • When a GraphQL query calls a serverless function, you get billed by your cloud provider.

This is when you bring in API management.The API management capabilities in API Connect allow you to control how the user is interacting with your API. You can apply rate limiting to control the performance and costs involved in calling the API. API Connect also provides features like a Developer Portal so you can find, test and share APIs internally and externally to your organization.
Take the next step

Explore these resources to get more details about what GraphQL API development can bring to your enterprise.

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