GraphQL and REST API Design — Learning Roadmap¶

This roadmap is your study plan. Work through the phases in order. Each phase builds directly on the previous one. Mark your current position with ← You Are Here and update it as you progress.

Prerequisites Map¶

Confirm you have working knowledge of these before entering Phase 1:

Basic HTTP knowledge  ──┐
                         ├──► GraphQL and REST API Design  (start here)
Some programming exp  ──┘

If either prerequisite is missing, complete it first and return here. See [[networks]] for HTTP fundamentals if needed.

Learning Path Visualization¶

flowchart TD
    A([Prerequisites Met]) --> B

    subgraph P1["Phase 1: Foundation  •  Weeks 1–3"]
        B["Module 01: Introduction to APIs"]
        B --> C["Module 02: REST Fundamentals"]
    end

    subgraph P2["Phase 2: Core Concepts  •  Weeks 4–7"]
        D["Module 03: REST Advanced"]
        D --> E["Module 04: API Authentication"]
        E --> F["Module 05: GraphQL Fundamentals"]
    end

    subgraph P3["Phase 3: Applied Skills  •  Weeks 8–11"]
        G["Module 06: GraphQL Resolvers"]
        G --> H["Module 07: GraphQL Advanced"]
        H --> I["Module 08: API Security"]
        I --> J["Module 09: API Testing"]
    end

    subgraph P4["Phase 4: Mastery  •  Weeks 12–16"]
        K["Module 10: API Gateway & Platforms"]
        K --> L["Module 11: Event-Driven APIs"]
        L --> M["Module 12: Capstone Project"]
        M --> N(["Topic Complete ✓"])
    end

    C --> D
    F --> G
    J --> K

    style A fill:#2a9d8f,color:#fff,stroke:none
    style N fill:#2a9d8f,color:#fff,stroke:none
    style P1 fill:#edf2fb,stroke:#8d99ae
    style P2 fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706
    style P3 fill:#fee2e2,stroke:#dc2626
    style P4 fill:#dcfce7,stroke:#16a34a

Phase Breakdown¶

Phase 1: Foundation¶

Goal: Understand what APIs are, how HTTP works at the level needed for API design, and see REST and GraphQL side by side at a high level. Leave Phase 1 able to make a simple API call and explain what's happening at each step.

Phase 1 Exit Criteria:

• Can explain Fielding's 6 REST constraints from memory
• Can design a basic resource URI hierarchy for a simple domain
• Can make API calls using curl and Python requests
• Scored ≥ 70% on Module 01 and Module 02 tests
• Completed at least one Beginner-level project from PROJECTS.md
• GLOSSARY.md has at least 10 entries

Milestone unlocked: Foundation Built

Phase 2: Core Concepts¶

Goal: Develop fluency with REST best practices and start building with GraphQL. Leave Phase 2 able to build a complete REST API with authentication and document it with OpenAPI, and write GraphQL queries and mutations against a schema.

Phase 2 Exit Criteria:

• Can write a complete OpenAPI 3.x specification for a REST API
• Can implement and explain the OAuth2 authorization code flow
• Can write GraphQL queries and mutations using variables and fragments
• Scored ≥ 75% on all Phase 2 module tests
• Completed at least one Intermediate-level project from PROJECTS.md

Milestone unlocked: REST Practitioner

Phase 3: Applied Skills¶

Goal: Go deep on GraphQL internals, API security, and testing. Leave Phase 3 able to build a production-quality API that handles the N+1 problem, implements proper security controls, and has a meaningful test suite.

Phase 3 Exit Criteria:

• Implemented the DataLoader pattern to solve the N+1 problem in a GraphQL API
• Can write a contract test with Pact for a REST API
• Can configure CORS correctly and explain why the same-origin policy exists
• Scored ≥ 80% on all Phase 3 module tests
• QUESTIONS.md open questions are mostly resolved (status 🟢)

Milestone unlocked: GraphQL Ready

Phase 4: Mastery¶

Goal: Synthesize everything. Learn the infrastructure layer (gateways, event-driven patterns), then build a non-trivial API platform as your capstone.

Phase 4 Exit Criteria:

• Capstone project complete: REST API + GraphQL API, OpenAPI docs, OAuth2 auth, tests
• Overall topic score ≥ 80% (see Test Scores in topic README)
• CHEATSHEET.md is complete and genuinely useful as a reference
• GLOSSARY.md has definitions for every term encountered throughout the topic
• At least one teaching artifact exists (blog post, write-up, or recorded explanation)

Milestone unlocked: API Architect

Time Estimates Summary¶

[!NOTE] These estimates assume roughly 5–7 focused hours per week. If you're studying part-time, the calendar weeks will stretch accordingly. Adjust the schedule to fit your life — consistency matters more than pace.

Milestone Definitions¶

Alternative Paths¶

Fast Track (If You Have REST Experience)¶

If you already have solid REST experience and want to focus on GraphQL:

Skim Module 01 → Take Module 02 test (if ≥ 85%, skip to Module 03) →
Skim Modules 03–04 → Start deeply at Module 05

Take Module 01 and 02 tests first. If you score ≥ 85%, skip to Module 03.

Deep Dive Path (Maximum Understanding)¶

For maximum depth, add these supplementary activities between phases:

• After Phase 1: Read Roy Fielding's dissertation (Ch. 5 covers REST) — [Verify URL at UCI]
• After Phase 2: Read the GraphQL specification at graphql.org/learn
• After Phase 3: Study the Apollo Federation documentation in depth

Project-First Path (Learn by Building)¶

If you learn best by doing rather than reading:

Module 01 → Build a tiny REST API → Module 02 → Add proper resource design →
Module 03 → Add versioning and pagination → ...

Alternate one module of theory with one hands-on project at each step.

You Are Here¶

Current Phase: Not started

Current Module: None — begin at Module 01

Last Completed Module: None

Next Action: Open Module 01 and read the Overview section.

Update this section each time you advance to a new module or phase.