graphql/graphql-spec
Graphql Spec
This repository contains the official technical specification for GraphQL. It serves as the formal standard defining the query language, the execution engine, and the schema definition rules required to maintain consistency across different API implementations.
The specification establishes a language-agnostic standard for query syntax and semantics, alongside a formal protocol for introspection. It provides the documented algorithms and logic requirements necessary for implementing a consistent server, ensuring that metadata about types and fields can be discovered by automated tools.
The project covers the formalization of schema design through object types and scalars, strongly-typed query validation, and the precise mapping of backend data to a structured application interface. It also includes standardized notation for technical algorithms and a structured index of key terminology to assist implementers.
Features
- Language Specifications - Provides the formal language-agnostic standard for the syntax and behavior of the query language.
- Query Language Specifications - Establishes the official technical standard for the GraphQL query language syntax and semantics.
- Query Validators - Specifies how to verify that requests follow the defined type system and semantics before execution.
- Type and Operation Discovery - Provides a built-in system for retrieving information about available types and operations to understand the data model.
- API Query Languages - Defines the formal syntax and semantics used to request specific data from a backend service.
- Abstract Type Systems - Provides the formal type system of objects and scalars used to validate queries and map data relationships.
- Scalar Types - Defines the basic primitive scalar types used to map complex backend data for consistent communication.
- Semantic Analysis - Specifies the system for analyzing queries against the type system to identify mismatches before execution.
- API Interface Modeling - Defines how to use types and interfaces to map backend data to a structured API surface.
- Execution Specifications - Provides the documented algorithms and logic requirements for implementing a consistent GraphQL server.
- Type-Safe API Schemas - Defines the formal rules for creating object types and scalars that map backend data to a structured application interface.
- Strongly-Typed Query Validation - Checks request structure and semantics against the schema before execution to ensure type safety.
- Declarative Data Fetching - Defines the core mechanism for requesting specific fields and nested relationships to shape API responses.
- Execution Algorithms - Specifies the precise logic and order of operations for resolving fields into data responses.
- Request Validation - Defines the formal process for validating that incoming requests adhere to the specified type system.
- Schema-Based Type Systems - Defines a formal structure of types and scalars to validate queries and map data relationships.
- Schema Design Standards - Defines the formal system of types and relationships used to map backend data to a structured application interface.
- Introspection Utilities - Establishes the protocol for clients to query server schema metadata for available types and fields.
- Algorithmic Notations - Provides a standardized notation for documenting the execution algorithms required to implement a consistent server.
- GraphQL Specifications - Working draft of the specification for GraphQL.
