Database Reference
In-Depth Information
10.4. Weighing the options
Nowthatyouhaveasolidunderstandingofhowtheembeddedandservermodesworkand
differ from each other, we'll move on to looking at pros and cons of each approach. You'll
see when it might make sense to choose one over the other, and the possible implications
for these choices.
Table 10.1
summarizes the main points we'll be covering. Most of the
points listed here can be broadly classified under architectural or performance considera-
tions, with a few falling into the “other” category. We'll begin to attack this comparison
from those perspectives.
Table 10.1. Advantages and disadvantages of Neo4j embedded and server modes
Server type
Advantages
Disadvantages
Language restrictions (only Java and JVM languages sup-
ported).
Embedded
Speed.
Ability to take full advantage of all
low-level APIs directly.
Possible common library clashes with your application.
Ability to operate in HA setup.
Tight coupling of application process and Neo4j.
Application may potentially impact the database's perform-
ance and vice versa.
Inability to scale Neo4j independently of the application.
Decoupled architecture: you can scale
and manage Neo4j independently of
the application.
Server
Awkward and cumbersome fine-grained REST API.
Larger set of client platforms supported
(not only JVM-based).
Slower speed, though using REST streaming, Cypher,
batching, server plugins, and extensions may help.
Restricted to only being able to deal with JSON or HTML
responses for raw REST API at this point in time.
Multiple clients can use the database.
Ability to operate in HA setup.
Neo4jhassuccessfullybeenusedinbothembeddedandservermodesforstartupsandlarge
corporations, including companies such as Adobe, Ebay, and GameSys, so you can rest as-
sured that both approaches have been proven on both large and small scales. Neo Techno-
logy, the commercial backer of Neo4j, provides a list of customers (including case studies
on some of them) who have successfully used Neo4j in various setups. For more informa-
tion, see the Neo Technology site:
http://www.neotechnology.com/customers
.
