Apollo Server setup in GraphQL - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Apollo Server used for?

Apollo Server is a tool that helps you create a GraphQL API easily. It listens for requests and sends back data based on your schema and resolvers.

beginner

Which two main parts do you need to define when setting up Apollo Server?

You need to define the type definitions (schema) and the resolvers (functions that fetch data).

beginner

What is the purpose of the typeDefs in Apollo Server?

typeDefs define the shape of your data and the queries or mutations clients can make. Think of it as a contract between client and server.

beginner

How do you start Apollo Server to listen for requests?

You call the listen() method on the Apollo Server instance. It starts the server and waits for client requests.

beginner

What is a resolver in Apollo Server?

A resolver is a function that tells Apollo Server how to get the data for a specific field in your schema. It connects the schema to your data sources.

What do you need to provide to Apollo Server to define your API's data structure?

A typeDefs

B Resolvers

C Middleware

D Database connection

typeDefs define the data structure and queries in Apollo Server.

Which method starts the Apollo Server to listen for incoming requests?

A listen()

B start()

C run()

D execute()

The listen() method starts the server and waits for requests.

What role do resolvers play in Apollo Server?

A Define the schema

B Fetch data for schema fields

C Handle server errors

D Manage user authentication

Resolvers fetch or compute the data for each field in the schema.

Which of the following is NOT required to set up a basic Apollo Server?

A typeDefs

B Resolvers

C Database connection

D Server listen method

A database connection is optional; Apollo Server can serve static data or other sources.

Apollo Server is primarily used to build what kind of API?

A File API

B REST API

C SOAP API

D GraphQL API

Apollo Server is designed to build GraphQL APIs.

Explain the basic steps to set up Apollo Server from scratch.

Think about what you need to tell Apollo Server about your data and how to start it.

Describe the roles of typeDefs and resolvers in Apollo Server.

One defines the shape, the other provides the content.