This is the code repository for Getting Started with the Graph Query Language (GQL), First Edition, published by Packt.
Ricky Sun, Jason Zhang, Yuri Simione
Graph Query Language is becoming the go-to standard for graph databases, especially with its support for interconnected analytics and GenAI capabilities. This book comes from a team of industry veterans who know exactly how to break down the fundamental GQL concepts, graph terms, definitions, catalog systems, and everything that matters in actual work. You’ll get to grips with graph data types, value expressions, graph matching patterns, and modifying statements through practical GQL examples. With access to the GQL Playground via Ultipa Graph, you’ll get hands-on experience querying and manipulating graph data. Once you've got the basics down, you’ll tackle advanced GQL topics such as path modes, complex path matching patterns, shortest path queries, composite statements, session and transaction commands, and procedures. You’ll also learn to create extensions and understand the design of graph databases to solve industry issues. The authors cover techniques like property graphs to help you optimize your graph queries and offer insights into the future of GQL and graph technology. By the end of this book, you’ll confidently query and update graph data, run graph algorithms, and create visualizations. Plus, you’ll apply your learnings to a real-world use case of money flow analysis for assessing bank client behaviors and detecting transaction risks.
- Experiment with GQL syntax on GQL Playground, including MATCH, RETURN, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE
- Work with operators, functions, and variables in an organized fashion
- Become familiar with complex topics such as varying path matching modes, repeated variables, shortest path, procedures, and transactions
- Enhance execution speed through indexing or caching systems
- Understand how to manage access control effectively
- Tackle real-world issues with a case study focused on money transaction analytics
This book is ideal for graph database developers, DBAs, programmers, data engineers, and analysts eager to learn the new graph database standard, GQL. A basic understanding of graph and relational databases, data models, and programming will make the content easier to grasp. While the book is accessible to those without a background in graph theory, familiarity with concepts like nodes, edges, relationships, and the distinction between directed and undirected graphs will enhance your learning experience.
MATCH p = (areith)-[:Friend]-(gison)RETURN p
This query will retrieve both paths: (areith)-[:Friend]->(gison), and (gison)<-[:Friend]-(areith).
Should be
MATCH p = ()-[:Friend]-() RETURN p
This query will retrieve paths: Gison -> Boyard, Areith -> Gison , Gison <-Areith , Boyard <- Gison
The repository is organized as follows:
- Ch04/
- Ch05/
- Ch06/
- Ch07/
- Ch08/
- Ch09/
- Ch11/
- Ch12/
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Jason Zhang
Director of Engineering at Ultipa and CTO at Ultipa HK, with a master's degree in computer science from SUPINFO, Paris. Jason specializes in graph database design and implementation, and leads the development of Ultipa Graph and GQL support. -
Ricky Sun
Serial entrepreneur and expert in high-performance storage and computing systems. Ricky has held leadership roles at EMC, Splashtop, and Allhistory, and is the author of several technology books including The Essential Criteria of Graph Databases. -
Yuri Simione
VP of Partnerships and Alliances at Ultipa, with nearly 30 years of IT experience. Yuri has worked with major enterprises on unstructured information management and now focuses on graph databases and semantic knowledge graphs.
For questions or feedback, please contact: jason@ultipa.com