Graph/Network Building Blocks

• nodes - are entities
• relationships/edges - connect nodes (defines structure)

adding details to nodes and relationships:

• properties - attributes and metadata to both nodes and relationships
• labels - used for grouping nodes and relationships

Use Relationships When…

you need to specify either:

• weight, strength, or other quality of the relationship:
  • friendship strength
  • proficiency skill
• attribute value comprises a complex value type
  • address (first line, second line, zip code, etc)
• attribute values are interconnected
  • taxonomy of skills

Use Properties When

There is no need to qualify the relationship AND attribute value is a simple value type

Reasons for Intermediate Nodes

• connect more than 2 nodes in a single context
  • e.g. Ian bought a book in Barnes and Noble
• n-ary relationships
  • e.g. Sure invited Sarah, Bob and Charlie to her party
• relate something to a relationship

  List indent undo

  

Resources