# Neo4j-core v3.0 [![Code Climate](https://codeclimate.com/github/andreasronge/neo4j-core.png)](https://codeclimate.com/github/andreasronge/neo4j-core) [![Build Status](https://travis-ci.org/andreasronge/neo4j-core.png)](https://travis-ci.org/andreasronge/neo4j-core) A simple Ruby wrapper around the Neo4j graph database that works with the server and embedded Neo4j API. This gem can be used both from JRuby and normal MRI. You may get better performance using it from JRuby and the embedded Neo4j, but it will probably be easier to develop (e.g. faster to run tests) on MRI and neo4j server. This gem is designed to work well together with the neo4j active model compliant gem (see the 3.0 branch). For the stable v2.0 version, see the v2.0 branch https://github.com/andreasronge/neo4j-core/tree/v2.x Do not use this gem in production. ## Installation You can use this gem in two different ways: * embedded - talking directly to the database using the Neo4j Java API (only JRuby) * server - talking to the Neo4j Server via HTTP (Both JRuby and MRI) ### Embedded or Server Neo4j ? I suggest you start using the Neo4j server instead of Neo4j embedded because it is easier to use for development. If you later get performance problem (e.g. too many HTTP requests hitting the Neo4j Server) you can try the embedded neo4j with almost no changes in your code base. The embedded neo4j via JRuby also gives you direct access to the Neo4j Java API (e.g. the Neo4j Traversal API) which can be used to do more powerful and efficient traversals. ### Usage from Neo4j Server You need to install the Neo4j server. This can be done by using a Rake task. Install the gem: ``` gem install neo4j-core --pre ``` Create a Rakefile with the following content: ``` require 'neo4j/tasks/neo4j_server' ``` Install and start neo4j by typing: ``` rake neo4j:install[community-2.1.1] rake neo4j:start ``` ### Usage from Neo4j Embedded The Gemfile contains references to Neo4j Java libraries. Nothing is needed to be installed. The embedded database is only accessible from JRuby (unlike the Neo4j Server). No need to start the server since it is embedded. ## Neo4j-core API, v3.0 ### API Documentation * [Neo4j::Node](http://www.rubydoc.info/github/andreasronge/neo4j-core/Neo4j/Node) * [Neo4j::Relationship](http://www.rubydoc.info/github/andreasronge/neo4j-core/Neo4j/Relationship) * [Neo4j::Session](http://www.rubydoc.info/github/andreasronge/neo4j-core/Neo4j/Session) * [Neo4j::Label](http://www.rubydoc.info/github/andreasronge/neo4j-core/Neo4j/Label) See also [Neo4j Docs](http://docs.neo4j.org/) ### Database Session There are currently two available types of session, one for connecting to a neo4j server and one for connecting to the embedded Neo4j database (which requires JRuby). Using the Neo4j Server: `:server_db` Open a IRB/Pry session: ```ruby require 'neo4j-core' # Using Neo4j Server Cypher Database session = Neo4j::Session.open(:server_db) ``` ### Session Configuration Example, Basic Authentication: ```ruby Neo4j::Session.open(:server_db, 'http://my.server', basic_auth: { username: 'username', password: 'password'}) ``` The last option hash is passed on to HTTParty. See here for more available options: http://rdoc.info/github/jnunemaker/httparty/HTTParty/ClassMethods ### Embedded Session Using the Neo4j Embedded Database, `:embedded_db` ```ruby # Using Neo4j Embedded Database session = Neo4j::Session.open(:embedded_db, '/folder/db', auto_commit: true) session.start ``` To stop the database (only supported via the embedded database) use ``` session.shutdown session.running? #=> false session.close # make the session not current/default ``` ### Session.current When a session has been created it will be stored in the `Neo4j::Session` object. Example, get the default session ```ruby session = Neo4j::Session.current ``` ### Multiple Sessions The default session is used by all operation unless specified as the last argument. For example create a node with a different session: ```ruby my_session = Neo4j::Session.create_session(:server_db, "http://localhost:7474") Neo4j::Node.create(name: 'kalle', my_session) ``` When using the Neo4j Server: `:server_db`, multiple sessions are supported. They can be created using the open_named method. This method takes two extra parameters, the second parameter is the session name, and the third parameter is whether the new session should over-ride the default session (becoming the session returned by calling `Neo4j::Session.current`). Valid options are true (always become current), false (never become current) and nil (become current if no existing current session). ```ruby Neo4j::Session.open_named(:server_db, :test, true, "https://localhost:7474") session = Neo4j::Session.named :test # Returns the session named :test. session = Neo4j::Session.current # Returns the session named :test, because the 'default' flag was set to true. ``` ### Label and Index Support Create a node with an label `person` and one property ```ruby Neo4j::Node.create({name: 'kalle'}, :person) ``` Add index on a label ```ruby person = Label.create(:person) person.create_index(:name) # compound keys will be supported in Neo4j 2.1 # drop index person.drop_index(:name) ``` ```ruby # which indexes do we have and on which properties, red.indexes.each {|i| puts "Index #{i.label} properties: #{i.properties}"} # drop index, we assume it's the first one we want red.indexes.first.drop(:name) # which indices exist ? # (compound keys will be supported in Neo4j 2.1 (?)) red.indexes # => {:property_keys => [[:age]]} ``` Constraints Only unique constraint and single property is supported (yet). ```ruby label = Neo4j::Label.create(:person) label.create_constraint(:name, type: :unique) label.drop_constraint(:name, type: :unique) ``` ### Creating Nodes ```ruby # notice, label argument can be both Label objects or string/symbols. node = Node.create({name: 'andreas'}, red, :green) puts "Created node #{node[:name]} with labels #{node.labels.map(&:name).join(', ')}" ``` Notice, nodes will be indexed based on which labels they have. Setting properties ```ruby node = Node.create({name: 'andreas'}, red, :green) node[:name] = 'changed name' # changes immediately one property node[:name] # => 'changed name' node.props # => {name: 'changed name'} node.props={ foo: 42} # replace all properties node.update_props( bar: 42) # keeps old properties (unlike #props=) update with given hash ``` Notice properties are never stored in ruby objects, instead they are always fetched from the database. ### Finding Nodes by Label Each node and relationship has a id, `neo_id` ```ruby node = Neo4j::Node.create # load the node again from the database node2 = Neo4j::Node.load(node.neo_id) ``` Finding nodes by label: ```ruby # Find nodes using an index, returns an Enumerable Neo4j::Label.find_nodes(:red, :name, "andreas") # Find all nodes for this label, returns an Enumerable Neo4j::Label.find_all_nodes(:red) # which labels does a node have ? node.labels # [:red] ``` ### Cypher Queries Full documentation, see [Neo4j::Session#query](http://www.rubydoc.info/github/andreasronge/neo4j-core/Neo4j/Session#query-instance_method) or RSpecs. Examples using queries as strings: ```ruby # same as Neo4j::Session.current.query Neo4j::Session.query("CREATE (n {mydata: 'Hello'}) RETURN ID(n) AS id") # With cypher parameters Neo4j::Session.query("START n=node({a_parameter}) RETURN ID(n)", a_parameter: 0) ``` By default queries with strings as shown above will return an Enumerable of hash where each column is a key in the hash. See below how to do a different mapping. Example of label queries ```ruby Neo4j::Session.query(label: :person) # returns an Enumerable of Neo4j::Node by default Neo4j::Session.query(label: :person, return: [:name, :age]) # Returns an enumerable of hash with name and age properties Neo4j::Session.query(label: :person, return: :name) # Returns an enumerable of name properties Neo4j::Session.query(label: :person, conditions: {name:/kalle.*/}) # regexp search on the name property of nodes with label person Neo4j::Session.query(label: :person, order: [{name: :desc}, :age], limit: 4, skip: 5) # sorting and skip and limit the result Neo4j::Session.query(label: :person, match: 'n-[:friends]->o', where: ['o.age=42', 'n.age=1']) # cypher variable n will be used for the label ``` All these label queries above will return an Enumerable of Neo4j::Node objects, unless a `return` condition is specified, see above. The cypher result can be mapped by using `map_return` can have the following values: `value`, `id_to_node`, `to_node`, `id_to_rel`, `to_rel`. Examples ```ruby # without mapping Neo4j::Session.query("START n=node(42) RETURN n.name, n.age").to_a #=> [{:'n.name' => 'jimmy', :'n.age' => 42}] # with mapping Neo4j::Session.query("START n=node(42) RETURN n.name", map_return: :value).to_a #=> ['jimmy'] # Label query with return without mapping Neo4j::Session.query(label: :person, return: 'ID(n)').to_a #=> [{:"ID(n)" => 42}, {:"ID(n)"=>53}, ...] # map label queries, override the default of returning an enumerable of hash Neo4j::Session.query(label: :person, return: 'ID(n)', map_return: :value).to_a #=> [42, 53, ...] # map to a Neo4j::Relationship objects Neo4j::Session.query("START n=relationship(43) RETURN ID(n)", map_return: :id_to_rel).to_a # => [a Neo4j::Relationship object] # map to Neo4j::Node using the embedded database (directly loading the Neo4j::Node, only possible for embedded db), same for to_node Neo4j::Session.query("START n=relationship(43) RETURN n", map_return: :to_rel).to_a # => [a Neo4j::Relationship object] # map several columns, both nodes and relationships. Works also with label queries Neo4j::Session.query("START a=node(#{a.neo_id}) MATCH (a)-[r]-(b) RETURN ID(a) as A, ID(r) as R", map_return: {A: :id_to_node, R: :id_to_rel}).to_a # => [{A: a Neo4j::Node object, R: a Neo4j::Relationship object} ...} ``` It is also possible to create your own mapping types by using `map_return_procs` (see RSpecs). ### Transactions By default each Neo4j operation is wrapped in an transaction. If you want to execute several operation in one operation you can use the `Neo4j::Transaction` class, example: ```ruby Neo4j::Transaction.run do n = Neo4j::Node.create(name: 'kalle') n[:age] = 42 end ``` Rollback occurs if an exception is thrown, or the failure method is called on the transaction. E.g. ```ruby Neo4j::Transaction.run do |tx| n = Neo4j::Node.create(name: 'kalle') tx.failure # all operations inside this tx will be rollbacked n[:age] = 42 end ``` This feature is experimental, since it has not been tested enough. ### Relationship How to create a relationship between node n1 and node n2 with one property ```ruby n1 = Neo4j::Node.create n2 = Neo4j::Node.create rel = n1.create_rel(:knows, n2, since: 1994) # Alternative Neo4j::Relationship.create(:knows, n1, n2, since: 1994) ``` Setting properties on relationships works like setting properties on nodes. Finding relationships ```ruby # any type any direction any label n1.rels # Outgoing of one type: n1.rels(dir: :outgoing, type: :know).to_a # same but expects only one relationship n1.rel(dir: :outgoing, type: :best_friend) # several types n1.rels(types: [:knows, :friend]) # label n1.rels(label: :rich) # matching several labels n1.rels(labels: [:rich, :poor]) # outgoing between two nodes n1.rels(dir: :outgoing, between: n2) ``` Returns nodes instead of relationships ```ruby # same parameters as rels method n1.nodes(dir: outgoing) n1.node(dir: outgoing) ``` Delete relationship ```ruby rel = n1.rel(:outgoing, :know) # expects only one relationship rel.del ``` ## Implementation: All method prefixed with `_` gives direct access to the java layer/rest layer. Notice, the database starts with auto commit by default. No state is cached in the neo4j-core (e.g. neo4j properties). The public `Neo4j::Node` classes is abstract and provides a common API/docs for both the embedded and neo4j server. The Neo4j::Embedded and Neo4j::Server modules contains drivers for classes like the `Neo4j::Node`. This is implemented something like this: ```ruby class Neo4j::Node # YARD docs def [](key) # abstract method - impl using either HTTP or Java API get_property(key,session=Neo4j::Session.current) end def self.create(props, session=Neo4j::Session.current) session.create_node(props) end end ``` Both implementation use the same E2E specs. ## Testing The testing will be using much more mocking. * The `unit` rspec folder only contains testing for one Ruby module. All other modules should be mocked. * The `integration` rspec folder contains testing for two or more modules but mocks the neo4j database access. * The `e2e` rspec folder for use the real database (or Neo4j's ImpermanentDatabase) * The `shared_examples` common specs for different types of databases ## The public API * {Neo4j::Node} The Neo4j Node * {Neo4j::Relationship} The Relationship * {Neo4j::Session} The session to the embedded or server database. See also the cypher DSL gem, [Neo4j Wiki](https://github.com/andreasronge/neo4j/wiki/Neo4j%3A%3ACore-Cypher) ## Version 3.0 The neo4j-core version 3.0 uses the java Jar and/or the Neo4j Server version 2.0.0-M6+ . This mean that it should work on Ruby implementation and not just JRuby ! It uses the new label feature in order to do mappings between `Neo4j::Node` (java objects) and your own ruby classes. The code base for the 3.0 should be smaller and simpler to maintain because there is less work to be done in the Ruby layer but also by removing features that are too complex or not that useful. The neo4j-wrapper source code is included in this git repo until the refactoring has stabilized. The old source code for neo4j-core is also included (lib.old). The old source code might later on be copied into the 3.0 source code (the lib folder). The neo4j-core gem will work for both the embedded Neo4j API and the server api. That means that neo4j.rb will work on any Ruby implementation and not just JRuby. This is under investigation ! It's possible that some features for the Neo4j.rb 2.0 will not be available in the 3.0 version since it has to work with both the Neo4j server and Neo4j embedded APIs. Since neo4j-core provides one unified API to both the server end embedded neo4j database the neo4j-wrapper and neo4j gems will also work with server and embedded neo4j databases. New features: * neo4j-core provides the same API to both the Embedded database and the Neo4j Server * auto commit is each operation is now default (neo4j-core) Removed features: * auto start of the database (neo4j-core) * wrapping of Neo4j::Relationship java objects but there will be a work around (neo4j-wrapper) * traversals (the outgoing/incoming/both methods) moves to a new gem, neo4j-traversal. * rules will not be supported * versioning will not be supported, will Neo4j support it ? * multitenancy will not be supported, will Neo4j support it ? Changes: * `Neo4j::Node.create` now creates a node instead of `Neo4j::Node.new` * `Neo4j::Node#rels` different arguments, see below * Many Neo4j Java methods requires you to close an ResourceIterable as well as be in an transaction (even for read operations) In neo4j-core there are two version of these methods, one that create transaction and close the iterable for you and one raw where you have to do it yourself (which may give you be better performance). * The neo4j-core includes the neo4j-wrapper implementation. Future (when Neo4j 2.1 is released) * Support for fulltext search * Compound keys in index ## License * Neo4j.rb - MIT, see the LICENSE file http://github.com/andreasronge/neo4j-core/tree/master/LICENSE. * Lucene - Apache, see http://lucene.apache.org/java/docs/features.html * \Neo4j - Dual free software/commercial license, see http://neo4j.org/ Notice there are different license for the neo4j-community, neo4j-advanced and neo4j-enterprise jar gems. Only the neo4j-community gem is by default required.