GRAPH DATABASES: Neo4j

In computing, a graph database (GDB) is a database that uses graph that relates the data
items in the store to a collection of nodes and edges, the edges representing the relationships
between the nodes. The relationships allow data within the store to be linked together directly
and, in many cases, retrieved with one operation. Querying relationships within a graph
database is quick because they’re perpetually stored within the database itself. Relationships
are often inherently visualized using graph databases, making them useful for heavily inter-
connected data.
Graph databases are a type of the NoSQL databases created to deal with the restrictions of the
prevailing relational databases. Graph databases, by design, allow simple and quick retrieval
of complex hierarchical structures that are difficult to model in relational systems.
Neo4j is a graph database management system, an ACID-compliant transactional database
with native graph storage and processing, Neo4j is the most popular graph database according
to DB-Engines ranking, and the 22nd most popular database overall.
The most important thing about Big Data is extracting knowledge from the information.
Many companies have data that are of little use because that data is unstructured and they do
not know the connection between them.
Graph databases help to seek out relationships and make sense of the entire puzzle. Neo4j, is
one of the best known, which is a service implemented in Java.
Companies like eBay, Walmart, Telenor, UBS, Cisco, Hewlett-Packard and Lufthansa have
relied on the qualities of Neo4j to inhance their services.
Neo4j uses graphs to represent data and the assocaiation between them.
Neo4j uses property graphs to extract added value of data with great performance and in an
agile, flexible and scalable way.
Advantages offered by Neo4j:
1. Performance:
Graph databases like Neo4j perform better than relational (SQL) and non-relational
(NoSQL) databases. The key’s that, albeit data queries increase exponentially, the
performance of Neo4j doesn’t drop, compared to what happens with relational
databases like MySQL.
Graph databases answer inquiries by updating the node and therefore the relationships
of that search and not all of the complete graph. That optimizes the process.
2. Responsiveness:
Neo4J has many advantages, but one is its responsiveness in managing data.
3. Flexibility and scalability:
When developers of a corporation work with big data, they are trying to find
flexibility and scalability. Graph databases contribute a lot in connection with this
because when needs increase, the chances of adding more nodes and relationships to
an existing graph are huge.
4. Connected and semi structures data:
Using Neo4, representation of connected and semi-structured data becomes easy.
5. Easy retrieval:
Using Neo4j, you can’t only represent but also easily retrieve (traverse/navigate)
connected data faster when compared to other databases.
6. Cypher query language:
Neo4j provides a declarative query language to represent the graph visually, using
ascii-art syntax. The commands of this language are in human readable format and
very easy to grasp.
7. No joins:
Neo4j doesn’t require complex joins to retrieve connected/related data because it is
extremely easy to retrieve its adjacent node or relationship details without joins or
indexes.
Features of Neo4j:
Following are the notable features of Neo4j −
 Data model (flexible schema):
Neo4j follows a data model called native property graph model. Here, the graph
contains nodes (entities) and these nodes are connected with one another (depicted
 by relationships). Nodes and relationships store data in key-value pairs referred to as
properties.
In Neo4j, there’s no need to follow a fixed schema. You can add or remove
properties as per requirement. It also provides schema constraints.
 ACID properties:
ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability) rules are completely
satisfied by Neo4j.
 Scalability and reliability:
You can scale the database by increasing the number of reads/writes and the volume
without affecting the query processing speed and data integrity. Neo4j also provides
support for replication for data safety and reliability.
 Cypher Query Language:
Neo4j provides a strong declarative query language called Cypher.
 Built-in web application:
Neo4j provides a built-in Neo4j Browser web application.
 Drivers:
Neo4j can work with:
o REST API to work with programming languages such as Java, Spring, Scala
etc.
o Java Script to work with UI MVC frameworks such as Node JS.
o It supports two kinds of Java API: Cypher API and Native Java API to
develop Java applications. In addition to these, you can also work with other
databases such as MongoDB, Cassandra, etc.
 Indexing:
Neo4j supports Indexes by using Apache Lucence.

Use cases of Neo4j:

Neo4j has different uses today in international companies.
 Fraud detection:
Neo4j already works with several corporations in detecting fraud in sectors like
banking, insurance and e-commerce. This database can discover patterns that would
be difficult to detect with other databases.
 Fraud networks have mechanisms for crime that aren’t detectable with the linear
analysis of data. But with a scalable analysis of the multiple relationships between
data, this is often much easier.
 Real-time recommendations and social networks:
Neo4j effectively connects people with our products and services, according to
personal information, their profiles on social networks and their recent online activity.
In this respect, graph databases are interesting because they are up to connect people
and interests.
With that information, a firm can adjust its products and services to its audience and
customize the suggestions based on profiles. That is what allows the commercial
accuracy and customer engagement to grow.
 Data centre management:
Graph databases are the perfect antidote to the overwhelming growth in data. The
large quantity of data, devices and users mean that traditional technologies cannot
handle so much data. The flexibility, performance and scalability of Neo4j make it
possible to manage, monitor and optimize all kinds of physical and virtual networks
despite the massive amount of data.
 Master Data Management Systems:
Master data management is a real headache for companies. The creation of a
centralized and reliable information system is always a difficult issue. The final goal
is that every member of an organization uses the identical formats and applications for
data. This creates a working protocol that is usable by the rest.
Neo4j helps create such systems with speed, agility, performance, and all of this
without losing flexibility and scalability with data.
 Knowledge graph:
As your business grows, it requires a more powerful contextual search solution. Neo4j
can enhance your application’s search capabilities to deliver relevant results. The
graph data model can improve simple keyword search and supply additional results
associated with keywords.