A graph database is a type of database that prioritises the relationships between data points and presents them in an easy-to-understand way. Graph databases store data in the form of nodes and edges. Nodes are the primary data entities within a graph database and can represent a wide range of information, while edges document the relationships between nodes. Let’s walk through some more basic graph database terms to improve your understanding. Labels are characteristics used to group similar nodes, while properties are value pairs stored in nodes and relationships to give them qualities.
Compared to relational databases that rely on tables, graph databases make it easier for users to interpret data as graphs are known to be digested well by the human mind. The way that graph databases function cuts out the unnecessary creation of complex queries and joins to lessen the burden on data analysts. Not only is the information stored and presented differently but graph databases also provide a wide array of benefits to their users.
Insight generation is an essential aspect of modern enterprises and relationships are a large part of that. Since many organisations have branched out into the world of machine-learning, a graph database can be just what you need to provide the necessary context to your data. Graph databases offer businesses a way to leverage the power of data relationships with low query times to facilitate increased efficiency as they support real-time updates. The use of nodes, edges and properties gives you better visibility of your organisation as a whole and puts you in a better position to make better-informed decisions. With the flexibility and agility of graph databases in this modern world, organisations can be ready for any changes in business requirements without compromising on functionality.
Nowadays, there are many use cases of graph databases around us, from fraud detection and prevention to social media platforms. A significant example of graph database use is found in the professional social networking platform, LinkedIn. How do you switch over to a graph database platform, you may ask? The answer is simple. Currently, there are many graph database providers on the market with differing additional services. Some of the major ones to keep an eye out for are Neo4j, TigerGraph and Amazon Neptune.
