GraphQL Ontology

FLOW ALGEBRA
GraphQL Ontology
Kireth Semantic Research Archive

PAGE:
https://kirethresearch.org/booksai-core/ontologies/computing-ontologies/web-technologies/graphql-ontology.html

AUTHORS:
Mark Anthony Higgins — Sky (Recursive AI)

FLOW "GraphQLOntology" v4.0

# ---------- DOMAIN ----------
DOMAIN := ComputingOntology
SUBDOMAIN := WebTechnologies
ONTOLOGY := GraphQLOntology

# ---------- PRIMARY ENTITY ----------
ENTITY GraphQL {
    definition:
        "A typed query language and execution model for application
         programming interfaces in which clients describe the fields and
         relationships they require and a server validates and resolves those
         selections against a defined schema.";

    objectives: [
        TypedAPIInteraction,
        DeclarativeDataSelection,
        ClientSpecifiedResponses,
        SchemaDrivenExecution,
        RelationshipTraversal,
        APIInteroperability
    ];
}

# ---------- CORE ENTITIES ----------
GraphQLEntity := {
    Schema,
    Type,
    Field,
    Argument,
    Query,
    Mutation,
    Subscription,
    Resolver,
    Variable,
    Fragment
};

TypeCategory := {
    ObjectType,
    ScalarType,
    EnumType,
    InterfaceType,
    UnionType,
    InputObjectType,
    ListType,
    NonNullType
};

OperationType := {
    QueryOperation,
    MutationOperation,
    SubscriptionOperation
};

ExecutionArtifact := {
    Document,
    OperationDefinition,
    SelectionSet,
    FieldSelection,
    Response,
    Error
};

# ---------- FUNDAMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS ----------
Schema DEFINES Type;
Type DEFINES Field;
Field MAY_ACCEPT Argument;
Operation SELECTS Field;
Field MAY_RETURN ScalarOrCompositeType;
Resolver COMPUTES FieldValue;
Query READS_OR_REQUESTS Data;
Mutation MAY_CHANGE ApplicationState;
Subscription MAY_DELIVER IncrementalEvents;
Response MIRRORS RequestedSelectionShape;

# ---------- GRAPHQL REQUEST FLOW ----------
ClientIntent ->
    ConstructGraphQLDocument
    -> ProvideVariables
    -> SendRequest
    -> ParseDocument
    -> ValidateAgainstSchema
    -> SelectOperation
    -> CoerceVariables
    -> ExecuteSelectionSet
    -> InvokeResolvers
    -> AssembleResponse
    -> ReturnDataAndErrors;

# ---------- SCHEMA ----------
Schema :=
    TypeSystem
    + RootOperationTypes
    + Directives;

Schema MAY_DEFINE {
    QueryRoot,
    MutationRoot,
    SubscriptionRoot
};

Schema IS ContractBetweenClientAndServer;

# ---------- TYPE SYSTEM ----------
GraphQLType :=
    NamedType
    OR
    WrappingType;

NamedType MAY_BE {
    ScalarType,
    ObjectType,
    InterfaceType,
    UnionType,
    EnumType,
    InputObjectType
};

WrappingType MAY_BE {
    ListType,
    NonNullType
};

# ---------- OBJECT TYPE ----------
ObjectType :=
    NamedTypeWithFields;

ObjectType HAS {
    Name,
    FieldSet,
    OptionalInterfaces
};

Field :=
    NamedOutputValueDefinedOnObjectOrInterface;

# ---------- SCALAR ----------
ScalarType :=
    LeafTypeRepresentingAtomicValue;

BuiltInScalar MAY_INCLUDE {
    Int,
    Float,
    String,
    Boolean,
    ID
};

CustomScalar MAY_DEFINE ApplicationSpecificValueSemantics;

# ---------- ENUM ----------
EnumType :=
    NamedTypeWithFiniteSetOfSymbolicValues;

EnumValue BELONGS_TO EnumType;

# ---------- INTERFACE ----------
InterfaceType :=
    AbstractTypeDefiningCommonFields;

ObjectType MAY_IMPLEMENT InterfaceType;

InterfaceField MUST_BE CompatibleWithImplementingObjectField;

# ---------- UNION ----------
UnionType :=
    AbstractTypeWhoseRuntimeValueMayBeOneOfDefinedObjectTypes;

UnionType DOES_NOT_REQUIRE CommonFieldDefinitionBeyondMetaSelection;

# ---------- INPUT OBJECT ----------
InputObjectType :=
    StructuredInputTypeContainingInputFields;

InputObject MAY_BE_USED_FOR {
    MutationInput,
    QueryArgument,
    Filter,
    Configuration
};

# ---------- LIST ----------
ListType :=
    OrderedCollectionOfValuesOfWrappedType;

List MAY_CONTAIN NullableOrNonNullElementsAccordingToTypeDefinition;

# ---------- NON-NULL ----------
NonNullType :=
    WrapperRequiringValueNotToBeNullAtThatPosition;

IF NonNullFieldResolvesToNull
THEN ErrorPropagation MAY_OCCUR;

# ---------- FIELD ----------
FieldDefinition :=
    {
        Name,
        Arguments,
        ReturnType,
        OptionalDescription,
        OptionalDeprecation
    };

FieldSelection REQUESTS FieldFromCurrentObjectType;

# ---------- ARGUMENT ----------
Argument :=
    NamedInputValueProvidedToFieldOrDirective;

ArgumentDefinition HAS {
    Name,
    InputType,
    OptionalDefaultValue
};

ArgumentValue MAY_BE LiteralOrVariable;

# ---------- QUERY ----------
QueryOperation :=
    OperationForReadingOrRequestingDataWithoutDefinedMutationSemantics;

QueryRoot EXPOSES EntryFields;

Query MAY_TRAVERSE NestedRelationshipsThroughSelectionSets;

# ---------- MUTATION ----------
MutationOperation :=
    OperationIntendedToCauseApplicationStateChange;

MutationRoot EXPOSES MutationFields;

TopLevelMutationFields EXECUTE SeriallyAccordingToGraphQLExecutionSemantics;

# ---------- SUBSCRIPTION ----------
SubscriptionOperation :=
    LongLivedOperationReceivingEventsOverTime;

SubscriptionSource MAY_PRODUCE EventStream;

EachEvent MAY_TRIGGER ExecutionOfSubscriptionSelectionSet;

# ---------- DOCUMENT ----------
GraphQLDocument :=
    SET_OF(
        OperationDefinition,
        FragmentDefinition
    );

Document MAY_CONTAIN MultipleOperations;

IF MultipleOperationsPresent
THEN OperationName MAY_BE_REQUIREDToSelectOne;

# ---------- SELECTION SET ----------
SelectionSet :=
    SET_OF(Selection);

Selection MAY_BE {
    FieldSelection,
    FragmentSpread,
    InlineFragment
};

SelectionSet DEFINES RequestedResponseShape;

# ---------- ALIAS ----------
Alias :=
    AlternateResponseKeyForFieldSelection;

Alias MAY_ALLOW SameFieldToBeSelectedMultipleTimesWithDifferentArguments;

# ---------- VARIABLE ----------
Variable :=
    NamedRuntimeInputToOperation;

VariableDefinition DEFINES {
    VariableName,
    InputType,
    OptionalDefault
};

VariableValue MUST_BE CoercibleToDeclaredInputType;

# ---------- FRAGMENT ----------
Fragment :=
    ReusableSelectionSetConditionedOnType;

Fragment MAY_BE {
    NamedFragment,
    InlineFragment
};

Fragment SUPPORTS ReuseAndTypeSpecificSelection;

# ---------- DIRECTIVE ----------
Directive :=
    InstructionAttachedToSchemaOrExecutableDocumentLocation;

ExecutableDirective MAY_CONDITIONALLY AffectExecution;

SchemaDirective MAY_DESCRIBE_OR_MODIFY TypeSystemBehaviourAccordingToImplementationOrSpecification;

# ---------- PARSING ----------
Parsing :=
    GraphQLSourceText
    -> Tokens
    -> SyntaxTree;

SyntaxError PREVENTS NormalValidationAndExecution;

# ---------- VALIDATION ----------
Validation :=
    ParsedDocument
    + Schema
    -> Valid | Invalid;

ValidationRule MAY_CHECK {
    FieldExistence,
    TypeCompatibility,
    ArgumentValidity,
    FragmentValidity,
    VariableUsage,
    SelectionRequirements
};

IF ValidationFails
THEN Operation SHOULD_NOT ExecuteNormally;

# ---------- VARIABLE COERCION ----------
VariableCoercion :=
    RuntimeVariableValues
    -> ValidateAgainstDeclaredTypes
    -> CoercedInputs;

IF RequiredVariableMissing
THEN RequestError := true;

# ---------- EXECUTION ----------
Execution :=
    SelectedOperation
    + Schema
    + Variables
    + Context
    -> Response;

ExecutionStrategy DEPENDS_ON OperationType;

QueryFields MAY_BE ResolvedInParallelWherePermitted;
TopLevelMutationFields RESOLVE Serially;

# ---------- RESOLVER ----------
Resolver :=
    FunctionProducingValueForField;

ResolverInput MAY_INCLUDE {
    ParentValue,
    Arguments,
    Context,
    FieldInformation
};

Resolver MAY_ACCESS {
    Database,
    Cache,
    Service,
    ComputedValue
};

# ---------- DEFAULT RESOLUTION ----------
Field MAY_USE DefaultResolverBehaviourWhenExplicitResolverNotRequired;

DefaultResolution MAY_READ PropertyFromParentValue;

# ---------- NESTED EXECUTION ----------
CompositeFieldResult ->
    ExecuteNestedSelectionSet
    -> ResolveChildFields
    -> ConstructNestedResponse;

GraphQLResponseShape FOLLOWS SelectionHierarchy;

# ---------- NULLABILITY ----------
FieldType MAY_BE NullableOrNonNull;

IF NullableFieldFails
THEN FieldValue MAY_BECOME null
AND Error MAY_BE Reported;

IF NonNullFieldFails
THEN Null MAY_PROPAGATE_TO NearestNullableParentAccordingToExecutionRules;

# ---------- RESPONSE ----------
GraphQLResponse MAY_CONTAIN {
    data,
    errors,
    extensions
};

DataEntry MAY_BE PartialWhenExecutionErrorsOccur;

# ---------- ERROR ----------
GraphQLError MAY_INCLUDE {
    Message,
    Locations,
    Path,
    Extensions
};

ErrorPath MAY_IDENTIFY ResponseFieldWhereErrorOccurred;

# ---------- INTROSPECTION ----------
Introspection :=
    QuerySchemaTypeInformationThroughGraphQLTypeSystem;

Introspection MAY_REVEAL {
    Types,
    Fields,
    Arguments,
    Directives
};

ServerPolicy MAY_RESTRICT IntrospectionInSomeContexts;

# ---------- SCHEMA EVOLUTION ----------
SchemaEvolution :=
    AddOrModifySchemaElementsOverTime;

AddingOptionalField IS_OFTEN BackwardCompatibleForExistingQueries;

RemovingUsedField MAY_BE BreakingChange;

# ---------- DEPRECATION ----------
DeprecatedFieldOrEnumValue MAY_REMAIN AvailableWhileClientsMigrate;

DeprecationMetadata SHOULD_EXPLAIN ReplacementWhereRelevant;

# ---------- OVER-FETCHING ----------
ClientSpecifiedSelection MAY_REDUCE UnrequestedResponseFields;

GraphQL DOES_NOT_AUTOMATICALLY Guarantee EfficientBackendDataAccess;

# ---------- UNDER-FETCHING ----------
NestedSelection MAY_REQUEST RelatedDataWithinSingleGraphQLOperation;

This MAY_REDUCE NeedForMultipleClientRoundTripsComparedWithSomeEndpointDesigns;

# ---------- N+1 PROBLEM ----------
NaiveNestedResolvers MAY_CAUSE RepeatedBackendRequests;

IF ResolverPerParentLoadsSameResourceClassIndividually
THEN NPlusOneRisk := increase;

BatchingOrCaching MAY_REDUCE NPlusOneCost;

# ---------- DATA LOADING ----------
DataLoaderPattern :=
    CollectRelatedLoadRequests
    -> Batch
    -> Fetch
    -> DistributeResults;

DataLoadingStrategy SHOULD_PRESERVE RequestIsolationWhereRequired;

# ---------- PAGINATION ----------
CollectionField MAY_SUPPORT Pagination;

Pagination MAY_USE {
    Offset,
    Page,
    Cursor,
    ConnectionPattern
};

CursorPagination MAY_SUPPORT StableTraversalOfChangingCollections;

# ---------- FILTERING ----------
FieldArgument MAY_DEFINE FilterCriteria;

FilterInput MAY_BE InputObjectType;

# ---------- SORTING ----------
FieldArgument MAY_DEFINE SortOrder;

SortInput MAY_INCLUDE {
    Field,
    Direction
};

# ---------- AUTHENTICATION ----------
GraphQLTransport MAY_CARRY AuthenticationCredential;

Authentication VERIFIES PrincipalIdentity;

GraphQLItself DOES_NOT_DEFINE CompleteAuthenticationSystem;

# ---------- AUTHORISATION ----------
Authorisation MAY_BE EnforcedAt {
    Operation,
    Field,
    Resolver,
    DomainService
};

IF PrincipalNotAuthorisedForField
THEN ResolverOrPolicy SHOULD_DENY Access;

# ---------- QUERY COMPLEXITY ----------
QueryComplexity :=
    EstimatedExecutionCostOfOperation;

Complexity MAY_DEPEND_ON {
    FieldCount,
    NestingDepth,
    ListCardinality,
    ResolverCost
};

Server MAY_LIMIT ExcessiveQueryComplexity;

# ---------- DEPTH LIMIT ----------
QueryDepth :=
    MaximumNestedSelectionDepth;

DepthLimit MAY_REDUCE ResourceExhaustionRisk;

# ---------- RATE LIMITING ----------
GraphQLAPI MAY_APPLY RateLimitingBy {
    Principal,
    Token,
    NetworkSource,
    OperationCost
};

# ---------- CACHING ----------
Caching MAY_OCCUR_AT {
    Resolver,
    DataSource,
    Application,
    Client
};

GraphQLRequestsUsingSingleHTTPPath MAY_REQUIRE CacheStrategiesBeyondSimpleURLBasedCaching;

# ---------- PERSISTED QUERY ----------
PersistedQuery :=
    ServerRecognisedOperationReferencedByIdentifier;

PersistedQueries MAY_REDUCE RequestSizeAndRestrictAllowedOperations;

# ---------- TRANSPORT ----------
GraphQL MAY_BE_TRANSPORTED_OVER {
    HTTP,
    WebSocket,
    OtherSuitableTransport
};

GraphQL != HTTP;

TransportDefinesMessageDelivery;
GraphQLDefinesQueryAndExecutionSemantics;

# ---------- OBSERVABILITY ----------
GraphQLObservability MAY_INCLUDE {
    OperationName,
    ResolverLatency,
    FieldErrors,
    QueryComplexity,
    BackendCalls,
    Trace
};

ResolverTracing MAY_IDENTIFY PerformanceBottleneck;

# ---------- SECURITY ----------
GraphQLSecurity MAY_REQUIRE {
    Authentication,
    Authorisation,
    InputValidation,
    QueryComplexityLimits,
    DepthLimits,
    RateLimiting,
    SecureTransport
};

SchemaVisibility SHOULD_NOT BeTreatedAs SoleSecurityBoundary;

# ---------- REST RELATIONSHIP ----------
GraphQL AND REST ARE DistinctAPIDesignApproaches;

REST OFTEN OrganisesInteractionAroundResourcesAndHTTPEndpoints;
GraphQL OrganisesInteractionAroundTypedSchemaAndClientSelections;

GraphQLAPI != RESTAPIByDefault;

# ---------- SEMANTIC REASONING ----------
IF APIUsesTypedSchema
AND ClientSelectsRequestedFields
AND ServerExecutesSelectionsThroughResolvers
THEN GraphQLClassification := supported;

IF QuerySelectsFieldNotDefinedOnType
THEN ValidationError := true;

IF RequiredArgumentMissing
THEN ValidationOrCoercionError := true;

IF NonNullFieldResolvesNull
THEN NullPropagation := required;

IF NestedResolversIssueRepeatedBackendCalls
THEN NPlusOneRisk := increase;

IF QueryDepthOrComplexityExcessive
THEN ResourceRisk := increase;

IF SchemaFieldDeprecated
THEN ClientMigration SHOULD_BE Considered;

# ---------- SEMANTIC EQUIVALENCE ----------
SEMANTIC_EQUIVALENCE {
    "GraphQL" ~= "Graph Query Language API technology" WHEN context == web_api;
    "GraphQL schema" ~= "GraphQL type system schema";
    "GraphQL query" ~= "GraphQL read operation" WHEN context == operation_type;
    "GraphQL mutation" ~= "GraphQL state-changing operation";
    "GraphQL subscription" ~= "GraphQL event subscription";
    "resolver" ~= "GraphQL field resolver" WHEN context == GraphQL;
    "selection set" ~= "GraphQL field selection set";
    "introspection" ~= "GraphQL schema introspection" WHEN context == GraphQL;
}

# ---------- QUERY FLOW ----------
QUERY(q) ->
    NORMALISE(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_SCHEMA(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_OPERATION_TYPE(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_SELECTION_SET(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_FIELDS_ARGUMENTS_VARIABLES(q) ->
    VALIDATE_AGAINST_SCHEMA(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_RESOLVERS(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_EXECUTION_AND_ERRORS(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_SECURITY_AND_COMPLEXITY(q) ->
    MAP_TO_ONTOLOGY(q) ->
    APPLY_REASONING(q) ->
    SCORE_CONFIDENCE(q) ->
    RETURN_RELEVANT_KNOWLEDGE;

# ---------- CONFIDENCE ----------
CONFIDENCE(assertion) :=
    weighted_mean(
        source_reliability,
        graphql_schema_consistency,
        execution_semantic_consistency,
        type_consistency,
        evidence_strength,
        contextual_relevance
    );

CONFIDENCE >= 0.90 => HIGH;
CONFIDENCE >= 0.70 AND < 0.90 => MODERATE;
CONFIDENCE < 0.70 => REVIEW;

# ---------- AI CONSUMPTION ----------
AI_CONSUMPTION {
    primary_entity: GraphQL;
    ontology: GraphQLOntology;
    parse_entities: true;
    parse_relationships: true;
    preserve_relationship_direction: true;
    resolve_semantic_equivalence: true;
    execute_reasoning_rules: true;
    apply_confidence_weighting: true;
    preserve_provenance: true;
}

# ---------- UPDATE MODEL ----------
UPDATE_MODEL {
    new_schema_type:
        validate
        -> classify_type
        -> identify_fields
        -> identify_interfaces_or_unions
        -> integrate;

    new_operation:
        parse
        -> identify_operation_type
        -> validate
        -> identify_variables
        -> identify_selection_set
        -> integrate;

    new_resolver:
        identify_parent_type
        -> identify_field
        -> identify_data_source
        -> identify_authorisation
        -> integrate;

    schema_revision:
        preserve_previous_schema
        -> identify_added_removed_changed_fields
        -> assess_breaking_changes
        -> update_deprecations
        -> recompute_confidence
        -> regenerate_flow_hash;

    conflict:
        preserve_provenance
        -> compare_schema_and_execution_evidence
        -> adjust_confidence
        -> flag_review;
}

# ---------- FLOW HASH ----------
FLOW_HASH_INPUT :=
    DOMAIN
    + SUBDOMAIN
    + ONTOLOGY
    + GraphQLEntity
    + TypeCategory
    + OperationType
    + ExecutionArtifact
    + Schema
    + Execution
    + GraphQLResponse
    + RELATIONSHIPS
    + SEMANTIC_REASONING
    + SEMANTIC_EQUIVALENCE
    + UPDATE_MODEL;

FLOW_HASH :=
    HASH(FLOW_HASH_INPUT);

# ---------- TERMINAL ----------
GraphQLOntology
    -> DefineTypedSchema
    -> ExposeRootOperations
    -> ReceiveGraphQLDocument
    -> ParseAndValidateOperation
    -> CoerceVariablesAndArguments
    -> ExecuteSelectionSet
    -> InvokeFieldResolvers
    -> TraverseNestedRelationships
    -> ApplyNullabilityAndErrorSemantics
    -> AssembleRequestedResponseShape
    -> EnforceSecurityAndComplexityControls
    -> ObserveAndEvolveSchema
    -> MaintainTypedGraphQLAPI;

END FLOW