Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 2-3.
The Neo4j Browser showing quick commands and saved scripts
Introducing Cypher
Cypher is the declarative query language used for data manipulation in Neo4j. It is similar in many ways to how a
relational database depends on Structured Query Language (SQL) to perform data operations. However, Cypher is
not yet a standard graph database language that can interact with other graph database platforms. If you have some
familiarity with SQL, you will probably be able grasp Cypher quickly. In addition, the expressive and relatively simple
nature of Cypher allows it to be a tool that can be used beyond the confines of an organization's technology-centered
groups, similarly to the way SQL is used in an ad hoc way outside many IT departments.
■
a
declarative language
is a high-level type of language in which the purpose is to instruct the application on
what needs to be done or what you want from the application, as opposed to how to do it. a
procedural language
, by
contrast, instructs the application what to do, step by step.
Note
While there are a number of language drivers as well as a native API to execute CRUD operations, Cypher is the
primary access tool for Neo4j.
Cypher will be covered in much greater detail in Chapter 4, but it is apposite at this point to get a feel for this
centerpiece of the Neo4j world from the following simple examples of Cypher queries.
