# About GraphQL ### What is GraphQL? When you think of Facebook, you probably imagine cat pictures and distant relatives—but they also create useful technologies like GraphQL. In the words of the official [GraphQL website](https://graphql.org/): > GraphQL is a query language for APIs and a runtime for executing those queries with your existing data**.** GraphQL provides a complete and understandable description of the data in your API, gives clients the power to ask for exactly what they need and nothing more, makes it easier to evolve APIs over time, and enables powerful developer tools. In other words, it’s an alternative to REST for making API requests. You can choose which information to return and run multiple independent queries in a single request. It’s also very convenient for us on the API side, since we don’t need to constantly change endpoints to support new features. ### Why are we using GraphQL? GraphQL helps us build more dynamic applications and serve our API clients more efficiently—without making changes that affect everyone. You know that moment when your backend is so full of hacks and last-minute features that it becomes a spaghetti mess no one understands anymore? Like those COBOL-based systems that charge a fortune for small changes because no one knows what might break? That’s reason number one. (And also a good reason to rebuild things from time to time.) GraphQL makes our lives easier by reducing the number of MVC controllers. And it brings several advantages for you too: * Fewer requests to the API by chaining independent queries into a single request * Strong typing helps avoid bugs from unexpected data formats * Smaller and faster responses since you only ask for what you need We're enjoying working with GraphQL, and we hope you’ll enjoy playing with queries and using the code generators that come with having a full API schema. {% hint style="info" %} You can better understand everything you can do with GraphQL at [graphql.org](https://graphql.org)\ Or check out this awesome list of GraphQL resources: [github.com/chentsulin/awesome-graphql](https://github.com/chentsulin/awesome-graphql) {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.autentique.com.br/api/sobre-o-graphql.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.