22title : Solving the N+1 Problem with `DataLoader`
33---
44
5- When building a server with GraphQL.js, it's common to
6- run into performance issues caused by the N+1 problem: a pattern that
7- leads to a large number of unnecessary database or service calls,
5+ When building a server with GraphQL.js, it's common to encounter
6+ performance issues related to the N+1 problem: a pattern that
7+ results in many unnecessary database or service calls,
88especially in nested query structures.
99
1010This guide explains what the N+1 problem is, why it's relevant in
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ GraphQL field resolution, and how to address it using
1515
1616The N+1 problem happens when your API fetches a list of items using one
1717query, and then issues an additional query for each item in the list.
18- In GraphQL, this ususally occurs in nested field resolvers.
18+ In GraphQL, this usually occurs in nested field resolvers.
1919
2020For example, in the following query:
2121
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ For example, in the following query:
3434If the ` posts ` field returns 10 items, and each ` author ` field fetches
3535the author by ID with a separate database call, the server performs
363611 total queries: one to fetch the posts, and one for each post's author
37- (10 total authors). This doesn't scale well as the number of parent items
38- increases .
37+ (10 total authors). As the number of parent items increases, the number
38+ of database calls grows, which can degrade performance .
3939
4040Even if several posts share the same author, the server will still issue
4141duplicate queries unless you implement deduplication or batching manually.
@@ -52,14 +52,16 @@ could be grouped.
5252## Solving the problem with ` DataLoader `
5353
5454[ ` DataLoader ` ] ( https://github.com/graphql/dataloader ) is a utility library designed
55- to solver this problem. It batches multiple ` .load(key) ` calls into a single ` batchLoadFn(keys) `
55+ to solve this problem. It batches multiple ` .load(key) ` calls into a single ` batchLoadFn(keys) `
5656call and caches results during the life of a request. This means you can reduce redundant data
5757fetches and group related lookups into efficient operations.
5858
59- To use ` DataLoader ` in a ` graphpql -js` server:
59+ To use ` DataLoader ` in a ` graphql -js` server:
6060
61611 . Create ` DataLoader ` instances for each request.
62- 2 . Attach the instance to the ` contextValue ` passed to GraphQL execution.
62+ 2 . Attach the instance to the ` contextValue ` passed to GraphQL execution. You can attach the
63+ loader when calling [ ` graphql() ` ] ( https://graphql.org/graphql-js/graphql/#graphql ) directly, or
64+ when setting up a GraphQL HTTP server such as [ express-graphql] ( https://github.com/graphql/express-graphql ) .
63653 . Use ` .load(id) ` in resolvers to fetch data through the loader.
6466
6567### Example: Batching author lookups
@@ -125,7 +127,7 @@ function createContext() {
125127
126128With this setup, all ` .load(authorId) ` calls are automatically collected and batched
127129into a single call to ` getUsersByIds ` . ` DataLoader ` also caches results for the duration
128- of the request, so repeated ` .loads (id) ` calls for the same ID don't trigger
130+ of the request, so repeated ` .load (id) ` calls for the same ID don't trigger
129131additional fetches.
130132
131133## Best practices
@@ -136,10 +138,11 @@ correctly and avoids leaking data between users.
136138` DataLoader ` contract. If a key is not found, return ` null ` or throw depending on
137139your policy.
138140- Keep batch functions focused. Each loader should handle a specific data access pattern.
139- - Use ` .loadMany() ` sparingly. While it's useful in some cases, you usually don't need it
140- in field resolvers. ` .load() ` is typically enough, and batching happens automatically.
141+ - Use ` .loadMany() ` sparingly. While it's useful when you already have a list of IDs, it's
142+ typically not needed in field resolvers, since ` .load() ` already batches individual calls
143+ made within the same execution cycle.
141144
142145## Additional resources
143146
144147- [ ` DataLoader ` GitHub repository] ( https://github.com/graphql/dataloader ) : Includes full API docs and usage examples
145- - [ GraphQL field resovlers ] ( https://graphql.org/graphql-js/resolvers/ ) : Background on how field resolution works.
148+ - [ GraphQL field resolvers ] ( https://graphql.org/graphql-js/resolvers/ ) : Background on how field resolution works.
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