GraphQL Live Querying with DynamoDB

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for implementing GraphQL live queries directly within DynamoDB, enabling real-time updates and efficient data transfer by tracking field changes at the database level.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach to support live queries in DynamoDB, including key components for tracking field updates and streaming changes, with a practical simulation in Go.

Findings

Implemented a DynamoDB simulation for live queries in Go

Demonstrated real-time data update capabilities

Highlighted benefits for software communication and data efficiency

Abstract

We present a method of implementing GraphQL live queries at the database level. Our DynamoDB simulation in Go mimics a distributed key-value store and implements live queries to expose possible pitfalls. Two key components for implementing live queries are storing fields selected in a live query and determining which object fields have been updated in each database write. A stream(key, fields) request to the system contains fields to include in the live query stream and on subsequent put(key, object) operations, the database asynchronously determines which fields were updated and pushes a new query view to the stream if those fields overlap with the stream() request. Following a discussion of our implementation, we explore motivations for using live queries such as simplifying software communication, minimizing data transfer, and enabling real-time data and describe an architecture for building software with GraphQL and live queries.