Gatsby is a static site generator using React and GraphQL
Static site generators have been around for a number of years. Since Ruby and Jekyll started the current trend of publishing content as static HTML files, React.js has become a staple for UI developers. Gatsby.js is a versatile static site generator based on React and also uses GraphQL as an internal API.
Gatsby has been development in some years, but over the first half of 2017 the project has picked up significant momentum. Most notably, the official React.js revamp was done with Gatsby.js. This means that Gatsby has some serious staying power.
In addition to React.js Gatsby uses another core technology originating from Facebook. GraphQL is a query language most used for communications over HTTP, similar to to RESTful APIs. In addition to external over-the-wire communications, Gatsby displays that the GraphQL syntax also works for internal APIs.
As opposed to the typical discussion over GraphQL, Gatsby uses the language internally to interact with the filesystem as well as external communications using plugins. Together with React as a templating engine, the system is a contemporary JavaScript tool for creating rich content publishing solutions that can be deployed as static HTML files for unmatched security and high performance.
Gatsby has matured significantly in the past year, and has moved from a static site generator into the realm of being able to challenge fully fledged universal JavaScript frameworks like Next.js. The advantage Gatsby holds over the other solutions is the native use of GraphQL as an internal API language.
Tweet