Why We Revisited REST: The Rise of GraphQL
Article summary
Why We Revisited REST: The Rise of GraphQL For years, REST APIs formed the backbone of our integrations, reliably connecting services and clients. REST was predictable, standardized, and well-understood. Yet, as our systems grew and client needs diversified, REST began to feel rigid. Each new client brought new requirements, driving us toward endless API variations, versioning nightmares, and bloated payloads. It was precisely this friction that drove us to reconsider REST-and ultimately led us to GraphQL. Why REST Started Holding Us Back REST APIs had become cumbersome to maintain. Version management was complex, response data often excessive or insufficient, and documentation continually lagged reality. Our clients faced inefficiencies, fetching multiple endpoints to gather necessary data, leading to latency and unnecessary load. We needed something more dynamic and flexible.
Read Full Article on MediumPractical takeaway
The main idea behind Why We Revisited REST: The Rise of GraphQL is to help teams move from broad theory to clear, repeatable decision making. When teams apply this thinking, they reduce ambiguity and focus on improvements that deliver measurable momentum.
Example scenario
Imagine a team facing competing priorities. By applying the ideas in Why We Revisited REST: The Rise of GraphQL, they can map dependencies, identify risks and choose the next move that produces progress without destabilizing their system.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to redesign everything instead of taking small steps.
- Ignoring real constraints like incentives, ownership or legacy systems.
- Creating documents that do not lead to any change in code or decisions.
How to apply this in real work
Start by identifying where Why We Revisited REST: The Rise of GraphQL already shows up in your architecture or delivery flow. Then pick one area where clarity would reduce friction. Apply the idea, measure its effect and share the learning.
Signs you are doing it correctly
- Teams make decisions faster and with fewer disagreements.
- Architectural conversations become clearer and less abstract.
- Changes land safely with fewer surprises or rework cycles.