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GQL Query Language

GQL (Graph Query Language) is the ISO standard for querying property graphs (ISO/IEC 39075). Grafeo implements GQL as its primary query language.

Overview

GQL uses pattern matching to query and manipulate graph data. The syntax is very similar to Cypher.

Quick Reference

Operation Syntax
Match nodes MATCH (n:Label)
Match edges MATCH (a)-[:TYPE]->(b)
Filter WHERE n.property > value
Return RETURN n.property
Create INSERT (:Label {prop: value})
Update SET n.property = value
Delete DELETE n / DETACH DELETE n
Conditional CASE WHEN ... THEN ... END
Cast CAST(expr AS type)
Unwind list UNWIND [1, 2, 3] AS x
For loop FOR x IN $items
Combine queries ... UNION ALL ...
Call procedure CALL name(args) YIELD field
Call subquery CALL { MATCH ... RETURN ... }
Create type CREATE NODE TYPE Name (...)
Create index CREATE INDEX FOR (n:Label) ON (n.prop)
Transaction START TRANSACTION READ ONLY

Learn More

  • Basic Queries

    MATCH, RETURN, OPTIONAL MATCH, WITH, LET, CALL and query composition.

  • Pattern Matching

    Node and edge patterns, label expressions, path quantifiers, search prefixes and path modes.

  • Filtering

    WHERE clauses, comparison operators, LIKE, type checking and graph predicates.

  • Expressions

    CASE, CAST, COALESCE, list comprehensions, reduce and subquery expressions.

  • Aggregations

    COUNT, SUM, AVG, STDEV, percentiles, GROUP BY and HAVING.

  • Path Queries

    Variable-length paths, shortest paths, path modes and path predicates.

  • Mutations

    INSERT, SET, DELETE, MERGE and label operations.

  • Composite Queries

    UNION, EXCEPT, INTERSECT and OTHERWISE for combining query results.

  • String Functions

    String manipulation: toUpper, replace, split, substring and more.

  • Numeric Functions

    Math functions: abs, sqrt, log, trigonometry and constants.

  • Temporal Functions

    Date, time, datetime, duration, zoned temporals and arithmetic.

  • Element & Path Functions

    Identity, labels, properties, path decomposition and list utilities.

  • Type System

    Data types, typed literals, type checking, CAST and three-valued logic.

  • Schema & DDL

    Graph management, type definitions, indexes, constraints and stored procedures.

  • Transactions & Sessions

    Transaction control, isolation levels and session configuration.