Exploring Typescript Syntax within Apollo Server

Question

Exploring Typescript Syntax within Apollo Server

When working with Apollo Server, you have the ability to define the server's schema by passing a string into gql.

const typeDefs = gql`
type Query {
  getBtcRates: [BtcRate]
}
`'

However, it raises the question - what exactly is gql? Is it a function or a method?

The definition of gql:

export const gql: (
  template: TemplateStringsArray | string,
  ...substitutions: any[]
) => DocumentNode = gqlTag;

At first glance, it appears to be a function, though the syntax is unfamiliar. This has sparked my curiosity as to why it is written in this particular manner.

typescript apollo apollo-server

Answer 1

Answer №1

gql incorporates a syntax known as tagged templates which is not exclusive to TypeScript. Another example of a tool utilizing this syntax is styled-components.

Explained in the documentation:

Tags allow you to parse template literals with a function. The first argument of a tag function contains an array of string values. The remaining arguments are related to the expressions.

An illustration of how this concept operates:

var variable = 'world';

function myTag(strings, exp) {
  var str0 = strings[0]; // "Hello "
  var str1 = strings[1]; // "!"

  return `${str0}${exp}${str1}`;
}

var output = myTag`Hello ${ variable }!`;

console.log(output);
// Hello world!

Answer 2

gql incorporates a syntax known as tagged templates which is not exclusive to TypeScript. Another example of a tool utilizing this syntax is styled-components.

Explained in the documentation:

Tags allow you to parse template literals with a function. The first argument of a tag function contains an array of string values. The remaining arguments are related to the expressions.

An illustration of how this concept operates:

var variable = 'world';

function myTag(strings, exp) {
  var str0 = strings[0]; // "Hello "
  var str1 = strings[1]; // "!"

  return `${str0}${exp}${str1}`;
}

var output = myTag`Hello ${ variable }!`;

console.log(output);
// Hello world!

Exploring Typescript Syntax within Apollo Server

Answer №1

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