Unlocking Integration Power with Boomi and GraphQL

GraphQL is rapidly reshaping the API landscape. Its flexibility, efficiency and developer-friendly nature make it a compelling alternative to traditional REST APIs. Boomi, a leading integration platform, provides seamless tools to work with GraphQL APIs. Let’s dive into how Boomi simplifies your GraphQL integration efforts.

Why GraphQL Matters

GraphQL addresses critical shortcomings of REST APIs:

• Overfetching and Underfetching: REST APIs often force you to pull too much data or require multiple calls to gather everything you need. GraphQL lets you define the data structure you want in a single query.
• Versioning: GraphQL’s evolving schema and deprecation strategy improve upon clunky REST API versioning practices.
• Developer Experience: GraphQL’s self-documenting nature and powerful query language streamline development.

Boomi’s GraphQL Connector

Boomi’s dedicated GraphQL Connector simplifies the integration process. Key features include:

• Automatic Profile Generation: The connector generates JSON request and response profiles, saving substantial development time.
• Intuitive Queries: Boomi’s standard Query operation UI makes building GraphQL queries easy.
• Pagination: Easily configure automatic iteration through GraphQL query results.
• Mutations: Support for Mutations allows you to retrieve data and create, update, and delete data using GraphQL’s powerful capabilities.

Steps to Integrate a GraphQL API in Boomi

1. Create a GraphQL Connector: Start by establishing a new GraphQL connector in Boomi, providing the endpoint URL of your target GraphQL API.
2. Import Operations: The wizard guides you in importing operations like queries and mutations and auto-generating necessary profiles.
3. Build Your Process: Design your Boomi process using the GraphQL connector actions to interact with the API. Configure queries or mutations and map input and output data as needed.

Example: Fetching Product Data

Consider a scenario where you must retrieve product details from a GraphQL-based e-commerce system. Here’s a simplified Boomi process:

• Start: A start shape – potentially triggered by a schedule or webhook.
• GraphQL Connector (Query): Configure a query operation like:

GraphQL

{

  products(first: 10) {

    edges {

      node {

        id

        name

        price

      }

    }

  }

}

• Mapping (Optional): If needed, map the GraphQL response to internal data structures.
• Utilize the Data: Send product information to another system, update a database, or use the data for further business logic.

GraphQL API Explorer (Beta)

Boomi provides an API Explorer for interacting with Boomi’s platform APIs, which are also GraphQL-based. Here’s how to enable it:

1. Settings: Navigate to Settings > User Information
2. Toggle: Enable the “Preview the API Explorer (GraphQL Only)” option.

Beyond the Basics

The Boomi GraphQL connector opens up a wide range of integration possibilities. Explore advanced topics like authentication, error handling, and GraphQL Subscriptions (although Subscriptions may require custom solutions on the Boomi side).

In Conclusion

Boomi empowers you to embrace the power and flexibility of GraphQL, streamlining API integration. Leveraging Boomi and GraphQL is an intelligent strategy for modernizing your integration landscape and improving efficiency, scalability, and developer satisfaction.