GraphQL vs TypeORM: What are the differences?

Introduction

This document outlines the key differences between GraphQL and TypeORM. GraphQL is a query language and runtime for APIs, whereas TypeORM is an Object Relational Mapping (ORM) library for TypeScript and JavaScript.

1. 1. Query Language vs ORM Library: The first key difference between GraphQL and TypeORM is their purpose and functionality. GraphQL is primarily a query language that allows clients to efficiently and flexibly retrieve data from an API. It provides a unified interface to retrieve exactly the data that the client requests. On the other hand, TypeORM is an ORM library that facilitates the mapping of database objects to TypeScript or JavaScript classes. It allows developers to interact with databases using object-oriented programming techniques.

2. 2. Data Retrieval and Manipulation: Another difference is the way data is retrieved and manipulated. With GraphQL, clients can specify the exact data they need by defining a query, and the server responds with only the requested data, eliminating over-fetching and under-fetching issues. In contrast, TypeORM provides APIs and methods for developers to perform various common database operations such as querying, inserting, updating, and deleting records.

3. 3. Declarative vs Imperative: GraphQL is a declarative language, meaning that clients can specify the desired data structure and shape without needing to explicitly define the steps or commands to retrieve it. The server handles the execution of the query and returns the requested data. TypeORM, on the other hand, follows an imperative approach, where developers write explicit code to interact with the database, specifying the actions to be performed step by step.

4. 4. Server-Centric vs Client-Centric: GraphQL is a server-centric technology, with the server responsible for processing and executing the client's queries. The server is responsible for resolving fields and relationships, aggregating data from various sources, and returning the result to the client. TypeORM, on the other hand, is a client-centric technology, where developers primarily use the library on the client-side to interact with databases. It provides a set of APIs specifically designed for querying and manipulating data on the client-side.

5. 5. Execution Control: GraphQL provides fine-grained control over the execution of queries through its resolver functions. Developers can define resolver functions to handle specific fields and relationships, allowing for complex computations, data transformations, and business logic to be performed during the query execution. TypeORM, on the other hand, provides a more limited level of execution control, as the library primarily focuses on mapping database objects to JavaScript or TypeScript classes and executing predefined CRUD operations.

6. 6. Language Agnostic vs TypeScript/JavaScript: GraphQL is designed to be language-agnostic, meaning it can be used with any programming language. This allows for a wide range of client implementations and backend server integrations. In contrast, TypeORM is specifically designed for TypeScript and JavaScript applications. It provides strong typing, decorators, and other language-specific features that enhance the development experience for projects using these languages.

In summary, GraphQL is a query language for APIs, providing a flexible and efficient way for clients to retrieve data from servers. TypeORM, on the other hand, is an Object Relational Mapping library that maps database objects to TypeScript or JavaScript classes, aiming to simplify database interactions for developers on the client-side.