You've built your Django application and now you want to understand two essential concepts for exposing your data: REST and GraphQL. Let's take a quick look at them.

REST - Representational State Transfer :

REST is an architectural model for communication between systems. Think of it as a restaurant menu where each resource has its own page. You ask for what you want using HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, or DELETE.

Advantages of REST :
Simple to understand.
Use of HTTP standards.
REST limitations:
Sometimes sends too much data (over-fetching).

2. GraphQL :

GraphQL, developed by Facebook, is a more flexible alternative. Think of it as a buffet where you choose exactly what you need in a single query.

Advantages of GraphQL :
Flexibility to request specific data.
One query for multiple resources.

GraphQL limitations:
Can be complex to set up on the server side.
Potentially complex and resource-intensive queries.

3. Conclusion

In short, REST offers simplicity and standardization, ideal for beginners. On the other hand, GraphQL offers greater flexibility for customers, but can be more complex.
When you decide to bring your application online, choose between REST and GraphQL depending on your specific needs. For beginners, REST can be a good starting point because of its simplicity. Enjoy exploring these concepts!