Third Quarterly Update on Oracle Graph (2023)

The graph features of Oracle Database enables developers to store and navigate relationships between entities. Oracle Graph Server and Client enables developers, analysts, and data scientists to use graphs within Oracle Database, while Graph Studio in Oracle Autonomous Database removes barriers to entry by automating setup and management, automating graph creation, and by providing step-by-step examples for getting started.

The last quarterly update on Oracle Graph, announced the availability of Oracle Graph Server and Client 23.2. That release included changes to the graph visualization app, updates to PGQL, and integrations of Oracle Graph with other services. The graph visualization app was updated to support SQL property graphs, which are available through Oracle Database 23c Free – Developer Release.   SQL Property Graphs enable creation and query of graphs using new syntax in the SQL 2023 standard. It also included additional functionality through PGQL, and updates that closely align PGQL with the SQL standard. Lastly, there were enhancements to the integrations with PyPi, SQL Developer and OCI Data Science.

Oracle Graph Server and Client 23.3 is now available for download for use with databases in the Cloud (OCI Marketplace image is available) and for databases on-premises. This release includes a number of new features, including the simplified install and use of the graph visualization tool, updates to PGQL, and RDF feature enhancements. The graph visualization REST API was also updated to streamline authentication and run PGQL queries through the JSON body, rather than as an encoded URL. More information on the REST API will be available in a future post.

Simplified Installation and Use of the Graph Visualization Tool

Configuration is now simplified, and there is also a single login screen for visualizing graphs in the database and in the graph server.

Once authenticated, on Oracle Database 19c, you will see separate tabs for querying graphs in the Graph Server and PGQL Property Graphs in the database. On Oracle Database 23c Free – Developer Release, you will see separate tabs for the  Graph Server, PGQL Property Graphs in database and SQL Property Graphs in database. This simplifies the transition between running graph queries in the database and in the Graph Server.

PGQL Updates

The newest updates enhanced support for LATERAL subqueries. LATERAL subqueries allow for passing the output rows of one query into another by projecting any number of columns to be used by the outer query. This release includes the ability to use LATERAL subqueries when running PGQL queries in the database. Lateral subqueries can now be mixed with any number of MATCH clauses per FROM clause and is supported inside EXISTS / scalar subqueries.

This release also adds support for LATERAL subqueries in the graph visualization tool, so you can visualize the results of your LATERAL subqueries.

RDF Feature Updates

This release adds support for creating a data source with credentials using RDF Server and adds support for GeoJSON. Creating a data source with credentials will allow you to establish secure connections to your data, ensuring efficient access to these resources.

With the GeoJSON integration, you will be able to visualize and analyze location-based information from your RDF data.

Source: oracle.com