GraphQL Integrations in Next.js

1. Introduction

GraphQL is a query language for your API, and Next.js is a powerful framework for building server-rendered React applications. Integrating GraphQL with Next.js allows for efficient data fetching and improved performance.

2. GraphQL Setup

To integrate GraphQL into a Next.js application, you typically need to set up a GraphQL client. We'll use Apollo Client for this lesson.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Apollo Client

Install Apollo Client and GraphQL:

npm install @apollo/client graphql

Create an Apollo Client instance.


import { ApolloClient, InMemoryCache } from '@apollo/client';

const client = new ApolloClient({
    uri: 'https://your-graphql-endpoint.com/graphql',
    cache: new InMemoryCache()
});

Wrap your application with ApolloProvider in _app.js:


import { ApolloProvider } from '@apollo/client';
import client from '../apollo-client';

function MyApp({ Component, pageProps }) {
    return (
        
            
        
    );
}

export default MyApp;

3. Querying Data

With the Apollo Client set up, you can now query data using GraphQL queries in your Next.js components.

Example: Fetching Data in a Component


import { useQuery, gql } from '@apollo/client';

const GET_ITEMS = gql`
    query GetItems {
        items {
            id
            name
        }
    }
`;

function ItemList() {
    const { loading, error, data } = useQuery(GET_ITEMS);

    if (loading) return Loading...;
    if (error) return Error: {error.message};

    return (
        
            {data.items.map(item => (
                {item.name}
            ))}
        
    );
}

4. Handling Mutations

Mutations in GraphQL allow you to create, update, or delete data. Here's how to execute a mutation in a component.

Example: Executing a Mutation


import { useMutation, gql } from '@apollo/client';

const ADD_ITEM = gql`
    mutation AddItem($name: String!) {
        addItem(name: $name) {
            id
            name
        }
    }
`;

function AddItem() {
    let input;

    const [addItem, { data, loading, error }] = useMutation(ADD_ITEM);

    const handleSubmit = e => {
        e.preventDefault();
        addItem({ variables: { name: input.value } });
        input.value = '';
    };

    return (
        
             (input = node)} />
            
            {loading && Loading...}
            {error && Error: {error.message}}
        
    );
}

5. Best Practices

When working with GraphQL in Next.js, consider the following best practices:

Use fragments to reduce the size of your queries.
Handle loading and error states gracefully in your UI.
Utilize pagination for large datasets.
Leverage server-side rendering for SEO benefits.

6. FAQ

What is GraphQL?

GraphQL is a query language for APIs that allows clients to request only the data they need.

How does GraphQL differ from REST?

Unlike REST, where you have multiple endpoints for different resources, GraphQL has a single endpoint and allows you to specify the structure of the response.

Can Next.js work with any GraphQL server?

Yes, Next.js can work with any GraphQL server as long as it follows the GraphQL specification.