GraphQL Development – 100+ Lab Exercises (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced))

🔰 Basic Level (30+ Exercises)

 

Goal: Gain foundational knowledge of GraphQL concepts, schema design, and basic query/mutation operations.

 

Core Concepts & Setup

  • Understand GraphQL basics: queries, mutations, subscriptions.

  • Set up a GraphQL server using Node.js with Apollo Server or Express-GraphQL.

  • Write simple queries and mutations against a sample schema.

  • Explore GraphiQL or Playground for API testing.

Schema Design & Types

  • Define GraphQL types: Scalars, Objects, Enums, Input types.

  • Implement basic schema with Query and Mutation types.

  • Use arguments in queries and mutations.

  • Understand and implement nullable vs non-nullable fields.

Resolvers

  • Write resolver functions for fields.

  • Understand resolver chaining and delegation.

  • Handle nested queries and relationships between types.

Data Fetching & Integration

  • Connect resolvers to mock or in-memory data sources.

  • Implement CRUD operations on sample datasets.

  • Practice error handling in resolvers.

 

🚀 Intermediate Level (40+ Exercises)

 

Goal: Advance skills in schema complexity, security, and integrating GraphQL with databases and other services.

 

Advanced Schema Design

  • Use Interfaces and Unions for flexible schemas.

  • Implement custom scalar types.

  • Practice schema stitching and schema federation.

Performance & Pagination

  • Implement efficient data fetching with batching (DataLoader).

  • Apply pagination techniques (cursor-based, offset-based).

  • Practice caching strategies at resolver level.

Authentication & Authorization

  • Implement authentication middleware (JWT, OAuth).

  • Apply field-level and type-level authorization.

  • Handle role-based access control (RBAC).

Integrations

  • Connect GraphQL API to relational (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB) databases.

  • Use ORMs like Prisma or Sequelize with GraphQL.

  • Integrate REST APIs with GraphQL schema (wrapping REST in GraphQL).

Testing & Tooling

  • Write unit and integration tests for GraphQL resolvers.

  • Use Apollo Engine or other monitoring tools.

  • Document GraphQL API with tools like GraphQL Voyager.

 

🧠 Advanced Level (40+ Exercises)

 

Goal: Master enterprise-grade GraphQL architecture, real-time features, and ecosystem contributions.

 

Real-Time & Subscriptions

  • Implement GraphQL subscriptions using WebSockets.

  • Handle real-time updates in client and server.

Schema Governance & Evolution

  • Manage schema versioning and backward compatibility.

  • Use schema directives for advanced logic.

  • Design schema for multi-tenant applications.

Security & Best Practices

  • Prevent common attacks (query complexity, injection).

  • Apply rate limiting and depth limiting to queries.

  • Secure subscriptions and real-time channels.

Scaling & Performance

  • Architect GraphQL APIs for horizontal scaling.

  • Implement distributed tracing and logging.

  • Use persisted queries and CDN caching.

Ecosystem & Community

  • Contribute to GraphQL open source projects.

  • Develop custom Apollo Server plugins or directives.

  • Build client apps with Apollo Client, Relay, or URQL.

Capstone Projects

  • Build a full-stack app with React + Apollo Client + GraphQL server.

  • Design a microservices architecture with GraphQL federation.

  • Implement a real-time collaborative app using subscriptions.

  • Develop a multi-tenant SaaS API with advanced auth and data isolation.

 

✅ Recommended Tools & Libraries

 

  • Apollo Server & Apollo Client

  • Express-GraphQL

  • Prisma ORM, Sequelize

  • DataLoader (batching)

  • GraphiQL, GraphQL Playground

  • Hasura (GraphQL engine over PostgreSQL)

  • Relay, URQL (GraphQL clients)

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