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Graph Query Language

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International Standard project

In September 2019 a proposal for a GQL standard project was approved by a vote of national standards bodies which are members of ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1 (responsible for information technology standards)[1]. The GQL project proposal states

Using graph as a fundamental representation for data modeling is an emerging approach in data management. In this approach, the data set is modeled as a graph, representing each data entity as a vertex (also called a node) of the graph and each relationship between two entities as an edge between corresponding vertices. The graph data model has been drawing attention for its unique advantages. Firstly, the graph model can be a natural fit for data sets that have hierarchical, complex, or even arbitrary structures. Such structures can be easily encoded into the graph model as edges. This can be more convenient than the relational model, which requires the normalization of the data set into a set of tables with fixed row types. Secondly, the graph model enables efficient execution of expensive queries or data analytic functions that need to observe multi-hop relationships among data entities, such as reachability queries, shortest or cheapest path queries, or centrality analysis. There are two graph models in current use: the Resource Description Framework (RDF) model and the Property Graph model. The RDF model has been standardized by W3C in a number of specifications. The Property Graph model, on the other hand, has a multitude of implementations in graph databases, graph algorithms, and graph processing facilities. However, a common, standardized query language for property graphs (like SQL for relational database systems) is missing. GQL is proposed to fill this void.[2].

Conducted alongside SQL in ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC32 Working Group 3

The GQL project has a four-year timespan. Seven national standards bodies (those of the United States, China, Korea, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden) have nominated national subject-matter experts to work on the project, which is conducted by Working Group 3 (Database Languages) of ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1 (Information Technology) Subcommittee 32 (Data Management and Interchange), usually abbreviated as ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 32 WG3, or just "WG3" for short. WG3 (and direct predecessor committees within JTC 1) has been responsible for the SQL standard since 1987.[3]

Extending existing graph query languages

The project draws on multiple sources or inputs, notably existing industrial languages and a new section of the SQL standard. In preparatory discussions within WG3 surveys of the history and comparative content of some of these inputs were presented.[4]

  1. Prior work by WG3 and SC32 mirror bodies, particularly INCITS DM32, has helped to define a new planned part to the SQL Standard, SQL/PGQ Property Graph Queries[5][6]
  2. Cypher A language
  3. PGQL
  4. G-CORE
  5. GSQL


References

  1. ^ "ISO/IEC WD 39075 Information Technology — Database Languages — GQL". ISO. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  2. ^ "ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 32 N 3007 - ISO/IEC NP 39075 Information Technology -- Database Languages -- GQL". British Standards Institute. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  3. ^ "JTC 1/SC 32 Data Management and Interchange". ISO/IEC JTC1. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  4. ^ ""An overview of the recent history of Graph Query Languages", Tobias Lindaaker". ISO. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "https://s3.amazonaws.com/artifacts.opencypher.org/website/materials/DM32.2/DM32.2-2018-00085R1-recent_history_of_property_graph_query_languages.pdf" ignored (help)
  5. ^ "ISO/IEC WD 9075-16 Information technology — Database languages SQL — Part 16: SQL Property Graph Queries (SQL/PGQ)". ISO. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  6. ^ ""SQL and GQL", Keith Hare et al., W3C Workshop on Web Standardization for Graph Data. Creating Bridges: RDF, Property Graph and SQL" (PDF). W3C. Retrieved October 6, 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
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