Formalising openCypher graph queries in relational algebra

Abstract

Graph database systems are increasingly adapted for storing and processing heterogeneous network-like datasets. However, due to the novelty of such systems, no standard data model or query language has yet emerged. Consequently, migrating datasets or applications even between related technologies often requires a large amount of manual work or ad-hoc solutions, thus subjecting the users to the possibility of vendor lock-in. To avoid this threat, vendors are working on supporting existing standard languages (e.g. SQL) or standardising languages. In this paper, we present a formal specification for openCypher, a high-level declarative graph query language with an ongoing standardisation effort. We introduce relational graph algebra, which extends relational operators by adapting graph-specific operators and define a mapping from core openCypher constructs to this algebra. We propose an algorithm that allows systematic compilation of openCypher queries.