Apollo Server is a Node.js framework that allows building GraphQL APIs with ease. It provides a simple way to define schema, resolvers, and queries, making it perfect for fullstack developers. To get started, install dependencies like `apollo-server` and `graphql-tag`, then create an `index.js` file where you'll set up your GraphQL server using tagged template literals or the `schema` object.
GraphQL is a flexible, efficient alternative to REST that replaces rigid endpoints with a schema of types, fields, and resolvers, letting clients request exactly the data they need. By cutting over/under-fetching and round trips, it reduces payloads and latency, boosts performance, and adapts easily to changing needs, illustrated by an e-commerce API revamp using Product and Category queries.
