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AWS AppSync

What is it​

A managed service for developing GraphQL APIs that enables applications to get exactly the data they need, when they need it.

What it's for​

Simplify GraphQL application development by providing a managed GraphQL API that connects to multiple data sources and offers real-time features.

Use cases​

  • Developing mobile and web applications with offline synchronization
  • Building GraphQL APIs for microservices
  • Implementing real-time features (e.g., chat, notifications)
  • Aggregating data from multiple sources into a single API
  • Developing applications with low-latency requirements

Key points​

  • Managed GraphQL: AWS handles the GraphQL API infrastructure and scalability
  • Real-time: Supports GraphQL subscriptions for real-time updates
  • Multiple data sources: Integrates with DynamoDB, RDS, Lambda, HTTP APIs, and more
  • Offline synchronization: Supports offline data synchronization for mobile applications
  • Security: Integration with AWS IAM, Amazon Cognito, and custom authorizers
  • Caching: Offers multi-level caching for better performance

Comparison​

  • AWS AppSync: Ideal for building GraphQL APIs that require real-time features, offline synchronization, and data aggregation from multiple sources. Focused on query flexibility and data efficiency.
  • Amazon API Gateway: A versatile service for creating and managing REST, HTTP, and WebSocket APIs. It's more generic and suitable for a wide range of APIs, including those that don't require GraphQL or advanced real-time features.