API Technologies · API Styles
GraphQL — Free Learning Resources
Free, printable resources for GraphQL — practice problems, quick-reference cheatsheet, and an interview prep sheet. No sign-up required.
GraphQL — Practice Worksheet
Structured exercises and problems to build hands-on GraphQL skills. Work through key concepts step by step.
GraphQL — Cheatsheet
One-page quick-reference for GraphQL — key syntax, commands, patterns, and best practices at a glance.
GraphQL — Interview Sheet
Top GraphQL interview questions with concise answers. Get ready for any technical round with this focused prep sheet.
About GraphQL
GraphQL is an API technology or protocol for communication between services and clients. Modern applications rely on well-designed APIs for frontend-backend communication, microservices integration, and third-party data exchange.
GraphQLCheat Sheet — What's Covered
- ✓GraphQL core concepts, data format, and communication model
- ✓Authentication patterns — API keys, OAuth2, JWT, and mTLS
- ✓Request/response structure, status codes, and error handling
- ✓Versioning strategies and backwards compatibility
- ✓Rate limiting, caching, and performance optimization
Frequently Asked Questions — GraphQL
What is GraphQL and what are its primary use cases?
GraphQL defines how systems exchange data and trigger actions. It specifies the contract between producer and consumer — what operations exist, what format requests take, and how errors are communicated. It's used for powering frontends, microservice communication, and third-party integrations.
How do you version an API?
Common strategies: URL path (/v1/users), request header (Accept: application/vnd.api+json;version=2), or query parameter (?version=2). URL versioning is the most discoverable. Keep old versions until clients migrate; deprecate with clear sunset dates in headers and documentation.
How should API error responses be structured?
Return a consistent error body: HTTP status code, a machine-readable error code for programmatic handling, a human-readable message, and optional context. Never expose stack traces. Document all possible error codes in your API reference.
How do you secure an API?
Use OAuth2 with bearer tokens (JWT) for user-facing APIs. Use API keys for server-to-server integrations. Always use HTTPS. Implement rate limiting to prevent abuse. Validate and sanitize all input. Never trust client-supplied data without server-side verification.
What is rate limiting and why is it important?
Rate limiting restricts how many requests a client can make in a time window, preventing DoS attacks and protecting backend resources. Return 429 Too Many Requests with a Retry-After header. Implement per-user and per-IP limits. Use a distributed counter (Redis) for multi-instance deployments.
Who Is This For?
Backend developers and API designers building or consuming APIs who need a quick reference for GraphQL patterns, conventions, and tooling.