Graph Pattern Index for Neo4j Graph Databases

Abstract

Nowadays graphs have become very popular in domains like social media analytics, healthcare, natural sciences, BI, networking, etc. Graph databases (GDB) allow simple and rapid retrieval of complex graph structures that are difficult to model in traditional information systems based on a relational DBMS. GDB are designed to exploit relationships in data, which means they can uncover patterns difficult to detect using traditional methods. We introduce a new method for indexing graph patterns within a GDB modelled as a labelled property graph. The index is based on so called graph pattern trees of variations and stored in the same database where the database graph. The method is implemented for Neo4j GDB engine and analysed on three graph datasets. It enables to create, use and update indexes that are used to speed-up the process of matching graph patterns. The paper provides details of the implementation, experiments, and a comparison between queries with and without using indexes.