Apollo-client masterclass

a. Introduction to client-side GraphQL

We start with a brief introduction to GraphQL. We want to teach participants how it works, how to use it and compare it to the RESTful approach. We want to show how to send a sample GraphQL request via an HTTP protocol, to give the audience a deeper understanding of what is actually going on with GraphQL.

b. Queries and Mutations

In this section, participants will learn in detail about how to query a GraphQL server. We’ll try to explain the idea of Fragments, show how to add arguments and aliases, and finally how to send a mutation to the server. At this point each attendee should be familiar with GraphQL basics.

c. Introduction to apollo-client

Apollo client is a great library that provides us with a very nice way to communicate with GraphQL servers from JavaScript applications. We’ll show how to set up apollo in the project, execute a query or mutation and receive a response with parsed payload.

d. Using apollo with React

After the audience gets familiar with apollo-client, we will introduce a new way of using apollo with react. Participants will learn how the Apollo provider works and how to use the HOC-based system of apollo-react.

e. Local state management with apollo link state

Thanks to the fact that apollo is a really flexible and extensible library, we can use an amazing plug-in system. We’ll teach participants how to add an apollo plug-in, what plug-ins are available and finally how to get rid of other state managers like Redux and execute local queries and mutations.

f. Caching with apollo

GraphQL with apollo-react architecture might imply a huge number of requests in some cases. The goal here is to teach everyone how to handle this kind of situation and create a caching system to lower traffic in the server.