Explore the practical potential of GraphQL. This 2-day course introduces core concepts and teaches you how to build efficient GraphQL services and clients. Ideal for developers looking to master this modern alternative to REST, this course delivers hands-on experience guided by industry experts.
GraphQL
Practical GraphQL for modern APIs
This engaging 2-day GraphQL course combines essential theory with real-world application. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how GraphQL works, how to build scalable services and clients, and how to write efficient queries. With live labs and expert guidance, you'll leave with immediately usable skills.
Learning objectives
- Understand API and web service basics
- Learn how GraphQL differs from REST
- Build GraphQL services with Java, Python, or JavaScript
- Construct GraphQL clients in your chosen programming language
- Write efficient GraphQL queries
- Define GraphQL types and schemas
- Apply best practices for scalable GraphQL design
- Use introspection for service discovery
What you’ll learn
By the end of the course, you’ll understand the foundations and full lifecycle of a GraphQL service. You'll be equipped to build, test and maintain GraphQL APIs and clients, write advanced queries, and apply best practices confidently in your development environment.
From REST to GraphQL
Review the foundations of APIs, HTTP, JSON and REST to understand how traditional APIs function and where they fall short. This section sets the scene for GraphQL’s emergence, highlighting its strengths in reducing over-fetching, enabling precise data requests, and supporting faster, more flexible client-server communication. You'll explore REST limitations and the practical motivations behind GraphQL adoption.
Core principles and service design
Learn the key building blocks of GraphQL, including queries, mutations, types and schemas. Discover how GraphQL services are composed and how these components work together to create structured, scalable APIs. You’ll examine the architecture of a GraphQL service, including how requests are processed and how data is exposed through a strongly typed schema.
Service creation and client integration
Build real-world GraphQL services using a language and framework that suits your environment: Apollo for JavaScript, Ariadne for Python, or Spring Boot for Java. You’ll also create GraphQL clients using tools like HttpClient, GQL, or Apollo, depending on your language of choice. This hands-on section allows you to design, deploy and connect complete GraphQL workflows using interactive labs and guided exercises.
Writing queries and mastering types
Learn to craft powerful, efficient GraphQL queries with features like aliases, fragments, variables, directives, and operation names. Gain in-depth understanding of GraphQL's type system including scalar, object, enum, input, union and interface types. You’ll also explore how to inspect and validate your schema using introspection tools, and apply best practices that help ensure clean, secure and maintainable APIs ready for production environments.
What’s included
- 2 days of expert-led training
- Virtual instructor-led format
- Live lab environments
- Comprehensive course materials
- Practical coding exercises
- Choose from Java, Python or JavaScript
- Post-course resources
- Interactive Q&A
- Certificate of attendance
Key facts
Ideal for
Developers building or maintaining APIs, and anyone curious about GraphQL’s structure and benefits.
Prerequisites
Prior experience in software development and basic coding skills in Java, Python, or JavaScript is recommended.
Learning experience
Our experienced trainers and interactive labs create a focused, practical environment – so you can put theory into practice from day one.
FAQs
This course covers the full cycle of GraphQL development, from foundational theory through to building real services and clients. You'll leave with the practical skills needed to use GraphQL confidently in your own projects.
What languages can I use for the exercises?
You can choose to complete the hands-on exercises using Java, Python, or JavaScript, depending on your preference and background.
Is this course suitable for beginners?
It's ideal for developers with a basic understanding of programming. Prior experience in Java, Python, or JavaScript is helpful to get the most out of the course.
Do I need prior knowledge of REST APIs?
A general understanding of REST is beneficial, but the course includes a session reviewing API fundamentals.
How does GraphQL improve on traditional REST APIs?
GraphQL allows clients to request exactly the data they need, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching issues common with REST. It also minimises the number of network requests, which improves performance and flexibility in client applications.
Can this course help me migrate from REST to GraphQL?
Yes. The course includes a comparison of REST and GraphQL approaches, giving you the knowledge to decide when and how to implement GraphQL in existing systems, including migration considerations and integration strategies.
What our customers say
“John made the subject matter interesting. The pacing was spot on, and he clearly knew what he was talking about and was able to communicate that easily. Very pleased and would highly recommend.”
Gavin, Government
“Course was informative and well-paced. Instructor was knowledgeable and explained the concept in a clear and well thought out manner.”
Tony, Programmer/Analyst - Academic
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Courses are delivered by experienced instructors using hands-on, practical live labs