E112: How to Deploy GraphQL Backends Super Fast

Connector Strategy

Fredrik Björk, CEO of Grafbase, shares insights into the development of connectors for their platform. He explains the strategic prioritization of connectors, starting with OpenAPI due to its widespread use, and highlights the ease of converting OpenAPI REST APIs to GraphQL with minimal code. Fredrik emphasizes the importance of community contributions in expanding connector options, while Grafbase focuses on initial heavy lifting to demonstrate the power of connectors 1 2.

We want to make it super easy for you to do. You shouldn't have to hand craft resolvers that read and write data to, let's say 25 data sources.

--- Fredrik Björk

Grafbase aims to simplify the process for developers by automating complex tasks and optimizing queries, ultimately saving time and effort 2.

   

Performance Boost

Performance optimization is a key focus for Grafbase, as Fredrik outlines their innovative strategies to enhance GraphQL implementations. He describes the use of edge caching and a global GraphQL gateway to ensure fast data delivery, reducing latency and improving user experience 3. The platform's architecture allows for efficient connection pooling, minimizing round trips and handshake latency, which is crucial for serverless and edge functions.

We reduce the amount of round trips and handshake latency that you might incur if you were to connect from a serverless function.

--- Fredrik Björk

Fredrik also highlights the importance of maintaining control over proprietary technologies while ensuring that essential components of the GraphQL gateway remain open source 4.