Overview
Graph DatabasesGraphs are ubiquitous data structures that have become increasingly relevant across a wide spectrum of applications in business, science, and medicine. We already looked at some applications related to scale-free networks, but it makes sense to look at the landscape of database systems that provide the infrastructure for many applications. There has been a lot of innovation in the NoSQLLinks to an external site. ("not only SQL") database arena, with many new open source and commercial database engines now available. Check out nosql-database.orgLinks to an external site. for a list of database engines and other resources.
A graph database is a particular type of NoSQL database system that provides a natural data model and high-performance query engine specifically targeting graph-based data. That is, data that focuses on "nodes and links" of arbitrary depth and complexity. A large variety of problems from social graphs to protein networks are a natural fit for graph database models. A good example is the Neo4j databaseLinks to an external site. system, one of the early open source NoSQL graph database systems.
For your first post, summarize the reading and add your thoughts. Feel free to include external sources, experiences from your work, etc. into the discussion.
Readings The main reading for this special topic is the first two chapters of the book Graph Databases, provided by Neo Technology: GraphDatabases.pdfDownload GraphDatabases.pdf. Chapter 1 introduces graph databases, their benefits, and where they fit among other database technologies. Chapter 2 examines different options for storing connected data and compares how each handles relationships, performance, and flexibility. Further Readings (Optional) This additional reading gives some background on graph database models (if you're short on time, Section 2 provides a nice overview of what graph databases are along with some examples of their usage): Angles_Gutierrez_ACMCS2008_GraphDB.pdfDownload Angles_Gutierrez_ACMCS2008_GraphDB.pdf
One primary post (minimum 300 words)