# DataGraph Composition and Runtime Behavior

*MuleSoft Platform Architect Study Guide · Designing APIs using System, Process, and Experience Layers · Last updated November 13, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/mulesoft-platform-architect/designing-apis-using-system-process-and-experience-layers/datagraph-composition-and-runtime-behavior*

Assess DataGraph as a managed composition interface over reachable REST implementations. Distinguish links, enrichment and schema consolidation, then plan mutations, usage allocation and persisted-query caching without assuming it replaces provider behavior.

- Certification: Salesforce MuleSoft Platform Architect
- Exam section: Designing APIs using System, Process, and Experience Layers
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/mulesoft-platform-architect

**Official exam objective:**

> Select DataGraph only for suitable roles in an application network, according to its high-level features.

## What the exam expects

- Select DataGraph for suitable application-network composition requirements.
- Distinguish its managed endpoint from the underlying API implementations.
- Choose links, merges and mutations according to the required meaning.
- Plan licensed downstream usage and persisted-query delivery appropriately.

A **unified schema** combines exposed API types; a **link** connects related entities; an **extension merge** enriches the same records; a **mutation** invokes a write operation; a **persisted query** associates a query document with an identifier.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Source descriptions | Documented sources are REST APIs described with RAML or OAS. | [Overview](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/) |
| Provider execution | DataGraph calls underlying API implementations. | [Networking](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/hosting-options) |
| Hosting distinction | The graph is fully managed; provider hosting does not deploy the graph engine. | [Networking](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/hosting-options) |
| Writes | Mutations use input types mapped from REST write operations. | [Schemas](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/schemas) |
| Baseline evidence | March 21, 2022 announces mutations and persisted-query/CDN support. | [Release notes](https://docs.mulesoft.com/release-notes/datagraph/anypoint-datagraph-release-notes) |
| Related objects | Link them rather than treat the foreign key as identical entity identity. | [Linking](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/linking) |
| Same records | Extension merge enriches compatible representations of the same records. | [Merging](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/merge-types) |
| Input consolidation | All fields and field counts must match; collaboration is not enabled. | [Merging](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/merge-types) |
| Local field visibility | A shared field is visible when either local source field is visible. | [Merging](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/merge-types) |
| Licensed calls | Count downstream REST calls rather than client queries alone. | [Overview](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/) |
| Allocation recovery | Correct the environment allocation and reapply changes. | [Overview](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/) |
| Query delivery | Persist document/ID, then use GET through a configured CDN where eligible. | [APQ](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/configure-apq-cdn) |

## Check yourself

- Why can adding a type earlier matter when inspecting a merged type's resulting name?
- When two input definitions otherwise qualify for a merge, what collaboration setup should the designer add?
- Which visibility results when a common field is hidden in one locally merged object type and visible in the other?

## Sources

- [Anypoint DataGraph Overview](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/)
- [DataGraph Hosting and Networking](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/hosting-options)
- [Elements in an API Schema](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/schemas)
- [Anypoint DataGraph Release Notes](https://docs.mulesoft.com/release-notes/datagraph/anypoint-datagraph-release-notes)
- [Linking Object Types](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/linking)
- [Merging Object Types](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/merge-types)
- [Automatic Persisted Queries and CDNs](https://docs.mulesoft.com/datagraph/configure-apq-cdn)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 7 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the MuleSoft Platform Architect pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams