.GRAPHQL File Extension
GraphQL Source Code File
| Developer | The GraphQL Foundation |
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What is a GRAPHQL file?
A GRAPHQL file is a plain-text file that contains instructions written in the GraphQL language, an open-source query language and server-side runtime for APIs that lets clients request the exact data they need. It may contain queries that retrieve data, mutations that change data, and subscriptions that receive updates when data changes. GRAPHQL files can also store reusable fragments and definitions that describe the types and fields available through a GraphQL service.
More Information
Developers use GRAPHQL files to define the information an application wants to retrieve from a GraphQL service, such as a user's name, email address, or list of recent posts. They commonly save GraphQL operations in GRAPHQL files to organize, reuse, and manage them as part of a software project. Keeping these operations in separate files also makes them easier to read, modify, and test without mixing them with the application's other source code.
For example, a developer is building a shopping app and wants to display a product's name, price, availability, and customer reviews. Instead of making separate requests for each piece of information, the app can send one GraphQL request specifying exactly what it needs. The GraphQL service then returns just those requested fields, and the developer can use the results to display the product page in the app.
NOTE: The .graphql extension is a common naming convention for these files, although GraphQL does not require a specific file extension. The .gql extension (.GQL file) may also be used.
How to open a GRAPHQL file
You can open GRAPHQL files with any text editor or source-code editor, such as Microsoft Visual Studio Code, Microsoft Notepad, or Apple TextEdit. Many source-code editors and development environments also provide helpful GraphQL-specific features, including syntax highlighting, validation, and code completion. GraphQL tools, such as GraphiQL, can help developers test and execute the GraphQL operations stored in these files against a GraphQL service, such as Shopify's GraphQL Admin API.