Edges and Types¶

Edges represent relationships between nodes. Each edge has a type, direction and can have properties.

Creating Edges¶

-- Create an edge between existing nodes
MATCH (a:Person {name: 'Alix'}), (b:Person {name: 'Gus'})
INSERT (a)-[:KNOWS]->(b)

-- Create an edge with properties
MATCH (a:Person {name: 'Alix'}), (b:Person {name: 'Gus'})
INSERT (a)-[:KNOWS {since: 2020, strength: 'close'}]->(b)

Edge Direction¶

Edges have a direction (source -> target):

-- Outgoing edges from Alix
MATCH (a:Person {name: 'Alix'})-[:KNOWS]->(friend)
RETURN friend.name

-- Incoming edges to Gus
MATCH (person)-[:KNOWS]->(b:Person {name: 'Gus'})
RETURN person.name

-- Either direction
MATCH (a:Person {name: 'Alix'})-[:KNOWS]-(connected)
RETURN connected.name

Edge Types¶

Edge types categorize relationships:

-- Different relationship types
INSERT (alix)-[:KNOWS]->(gus)
INSERT (alix)-[:WORKS_WITH]->(harm)
INSERT (alix)-[:MANAGES]->(dave)

-- Query specific types
MATCH (a:Person)-[:MANAGES]->(employee)
RETURN a.name AS manager, employee.name AS employee

Updating Edges¶

-- Update edge properties
MATCH (a:Person {name: 'Alix'})-[r:KNOWS]->(b:Person {name: 'Gus'})
SET r.strength = 'best friend'

Deleting Edges¶

-- Delete a specific edge
MATCH (a:Person {name: 'Alix'})-[r:KNOWS]->(b:Person {name: 'Gus'})
DELETE r

-- Delete all edges of a type
MATCH ()-[r:KNOWS]->()
DELETE r