What are the key differences between graph databases and relational databases?

What are the key differences between graph databases and relational databases?

Graph databases are designed to handle relationships between data points more efficiently than relational databases. They use graph structures with nodes, edges, and properties, while relational databases use tables.

Can you give me an example of when to use a graph database?

Sure! Graph databases are ideal for applications like social networks, recommendation systems, and fraud detection, where relationships between entities are crucial.

What are some popular graph databases available today?

Some popular graph databases include Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, and ArangoDB. Each has its own strengths depending on the use case.

How do graph databases handle scalability?

Graph databases can scale horizontally by distributing data across multiple servers, which helps maintain performance as data grows.

Are there any downsides to using graph databases?

Yes, graph databases can be less efficient for simple queries that don't involve relationships, and they may require more complex queries for certain operations.