GraphQL: a systematic mapping study

GraphQL is a query language and execution engine for web application programming interfaces (APIs) proposed as an alternative to improve data access problems and versioning of representational state transfer APIs. In this article, we thoroughly study the GraphQL field, first describing the GraphQL p...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Quiña Mera, Antonio, Fernández Montes, Pablo, García Rodríguez, José María, Ruiz Cortés, Antonio
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2023
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repository:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/168647
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/168647
https://doi.org/10.1145/3561818
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:GraphQL
API
Microservices
Systematic mapping study
Description
Summary:GraphQL is a query language and execution engine for web application programming interfaces (APIs) proposed as an alternative to improve data access problems and versioning of representational state transfer APIs. In this article, we thoroughly study the GraphQL field, first describing the GraphQL paradigm and its conceptual framework, and then conducting a systematic mapping study of 84 primary studies selected from an original set of 3,185. Our work analyzes trends or knowledge gaps about GraphQL by general classification of the studies and specific classification of this research topic. The study’s main conclusions show that GraphQL adoption is growing in the community as a strong alternative to implement APIs. However, we identified the need to strengthen the amount and rigor of empirical evidence collection in applied industry and government studies. In addition, we revealed the opportunity for specific studies on most GraphQL components, especially the consumption of GraphQL API services.