Introduction to Graph Databases, Neo4j & Cypher

Neo4j was valued at 2 billion in 2021, and raised a substantial sum for its funding rounds - graph databases are becoming increasingly used in fraud detection, influence analysis, transportation networks, and for generating knowledge graphs.

In Part 1, the course begins with an introduction to graph theory concepts, including, the history of graph theory,  introducing the learner to NoSQL databases, after providing a context on the history of database development.

Then, the course introduces the learner to one of the graph databases - Neo4j, and the associated query language, Cypher. Cypher will likely constitute the foundation of a standardized graph query language, and learning Cypher will not limit one's application to Neo4j alone. The course touches upon how it is easy for any learner transitioning from SQL to easily grasp Cypher.

Part 2 of the course focuses on querying with the Cypher Query language on the Movies dataset built into Neo4j, so the learner becomes familiar with using the Cypher query language:

• Retrieve information on the schema of the database

• Query the graph database (Filter results with the WHERE clause, Querying patterns, Querying a database (building a list, collect and count data, calculations), Control results (duplication/sorting))

• Create Nodes and Relationships (Create and Delete Nodes, Create and Delete Relationships)

• Indices and Constraints (Create and use a simple index, Create and use a composite index, Create and use Full-text schema index, Create, use and delete a Uniqueness constraint, Create, use and delete an Existence constraint)

• Importing data from a CSV file into Neo4j