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GraphQL.js

graphql-js.org

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Spec score 7.7 #12 of 32 in GraphQL Tools

What it is

GraphQL.js is the official JavaScript implementation of the GraphQL specification. It provides a parser, validator, executor, type system and related utilities for building GraphQL servers, clients, tools and schema workflows in JavaScript or TypeScript. Developers define a type schema and serve queries against it; the graphql function checks syntax and semantics before execution and reports invalid queries. Documentation identifies v17 as the current stable release, with v16 available for projects requiring older Node.js versions. Getting-started instructions require Node.js 22 or newer and provide installation commands for npm, pnpm, yarn and bun. The library runs in Node servers and browsers, distributes CommonJS and ESModule files, and the project says webpack and rollup builds should work. It is MIT-licensed, free, distributed through npm and intended for self-hosted deployment. Latest and previous major versions receive stated support, but no Long-Term Support version is offered.

Spec sheet

Purpose
GraphQL.js is the official JavaScript implementation of the GraphQL specification, with a parser, validator, executor, type system, and utilities.Read 7 Oct 2026 · graphql-js.org
License
GraphQL.js is MIT-licensed.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Browser use
GraphQL.js can be used in a Node server and in a browser, and the project says webpack and rollup builds should work.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Community support
The project points users to its community resources and a Discord channel for upgrade assistance.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Core capabilities
GraphQL.js lets developers build a type schema and serve queries against that schema.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Current version
The documentation identifies v17 as the current stable release and says v16 remains available for projects needing older Node.js versions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · graphql-js.org
Installation
The guide provides installation commands for npm, pnpm, yarn, and bun.Read 7 Oct 2026 · graphql-js.org
Long-term support
The project says it does not currently offer a Long-Term Support version.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintainer organization
The GraphQL Foundation describes itself as a neutral foundation that supports GraphQL documentation, tools, events, and community infrastructure.Read 7 Oct 2026 · graphql.org
Module formats
The project distributes CommonJS and ESModule files for runtimes and bundlers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Runtime support
The getting started guide requires Node.js 22 or newer for its instructions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · graphql-js.org
Security updates
The project says critical security updates are applied to the current and previous major versions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Use cases
The project describes GraphQL.js as a library for building GraphQL servers, clients, tools, and schema workflows in JavaScript and TypeScript.Read 7 Oct 2026 · graphql-js.org
Validation
The graphql function checks a query for syntactic and semantic validity before execution and reports errors when it is invalid.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Version support
The project says it fully supports the latest major version and supports the previous major version with bug and security fixes, while versions older than that are unsupported.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

GraphQL.js Free MIT-licensed JavaScript library · installable from npm Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every GraphQL.js plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Official GraphQL JavaScript implementation
  • Parser, validator and executor included
  • Runs in Node and browsers
  • CommonJS and ESModule distributions
  • MIT-licensed and free

Limits

  • Getting started requires Node.js 22 or newer
  • No Long-Term Support version offered
  • Versions older than the previous major are unsupported

Who it suits

It suits JavaScript and TypeScript developers building GraphQL servers, clients, tooling or schema workflows. Teams can use it in Node or browser environments and install it through common package managers.

Verdict

GraphQL.js provides the core implementation components needed to create and validate GraphQL services in JavaScript and TypeScript. It is free and self-hosted, with documented major-version support but no LTS release.

Where Specifiction places it

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