Company
Date Published
Author
Preston Pham
Word count
1240
Language
English
Hacker News points
1

Summary

GraphQL strategies are crucial for managing interactions between evolving systems, particularly when dealing with backwards compatibility issues. This approach is fundamental in maintaining a seamless interaction between two systems, such as a GraphQL client and server, that need to communicate seamlessly while their shared interface evolves on both sides. A robust approach to maintaining backwards compatibility is necessary due to the delay in deploying updates to browser extensions, which can take 1-2 business days before Chrome Web Store approves a change and releases it to end users. This delay highlights the need for a solid strategy to handle breaking changes, as they can compromise user experience if not implemented correctly. To address this challenge, Jam has developed custom tooling and processes to help monitor and debug their GraphQL implementation effectively, including adopting one of two conventions: avoiding querying paths that are volatile or introducing new queries and objects that are separate from existing queries. Strategies for backwards compatibility include versioning GraphQL objects, parameterizing versions, and adopting a versionless API approach, with the latter being the most idiomatic way in GraphQL. Implementing this approach requires mindful communication and staging, using deprecated directives, and employing tools like GraphQL Inspector to automate and prevent potential issues. By striking the right balance between innovation and stability, developers can ensure a smooth user experience while still allowing for rapid iteration and feature development.