Apache AGE is an extension for PostgreSQL that enables users to leverage a graph database on top of the existing relational databases. AGE is an acronym for A Graph Extension and is inspired by Bitnine's AgensGraph, a multi-model database fork of PostgreSQL. The basic principle of the project is to create a single storage that handles both the relational and graph data model so that the users can use the standard ANSI SQL along with openCypher, one of the most popular graph query languages today.

Since AGE is based on the powerful PostgreSQL RDBMS, it is robust and fully featured. AGE is optimized for handling complex connected graph data. It provides plenty of robust database features essential to the database environment, including ACID transactions, multi-version concurrency control (MVCC), stored procedure, triggers, constraints, sophisticated monitoring, and a flexible data model (JSON). Users with a relational database background who require graph data analytics can use this extension with minimal effort because they can use existing data without going through migration.

There is a strong need for cohesive, easy-to-implement multi-model databases. As an extension of PostgreSQL, AGE supports all the functionalities and features of PostgreSQL while also offering a graph model to boot.

Apache AGE is :

  • Powerful: adds graph database support to the already popular PostgreSQL database: PostgreSQL is used by organizations including Apple, Spotify, and NASA.
  • Flexible: allows you to perform openCypher queries, which makes complex queries much easier to write. It also enables querying multiple graphs at the same time.
  • Intelligent: allows you to perform graph queries that are the basis for many next-level web services such as fraud detection, master data management, product recommendations, identity and relationship management, experience personalization, knowledge management, and more.
  • Cypher Query: supports graph query language
  • Hybrid Querying: enables SQL and/or Cypher
  • Querying: enables multiple graphs
  • Hierarchical: graph label organization
  • Property Indexes: on both vertices(nodes) and edges
  • Full PostgreSQL: supports PG features

Refer to our latest Apache AGE documentation to learn about installation, features, built-in functions, and Cypher queries.

Install the following essential libraries according to each OS. Building AGE from the source depends on the following Linux libraries (Ubuntu package names shown below):

  • CentOS
yum install gcc glibc glib-common readline readline-devel zlib zlib-devel flex bison
  • Fedora
dnf install gcc glibc bison flex readline readline-devel zlib zlib-devel
  • Ubuntu
sudo apt-get install build-essential libreadline-dev zlib1g-dev flex bison

Apache AGE is intended to be simple to install and run. It can be installed with Docker and other traditional ways.

You will need to install an AGE compatible version of Postgres, for now AGE supports Postgres 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15. Supporting the latest versions is on AGE roadmap.

You can use a package management that your OS provides to download AGE.

sudo apt install postgresql

You can download the Postgres source code and install your own instance of Postgres. You can read instructions on how to install from source code for different versions on the official Postgres Website.

Clone the github repository or download the download an official release. Run the pg_config utility and check the version of PostgreSQL. Currently, only PostgreSQL versions 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15 are supported. If you have any other version of Postgres, you will need to install PostgreSQL version 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. 

pg_config

Run the following command in the source code directory of Apache AGE to build and install the extension.

make install

If the path to your Postgres installation is not in the PATH variable, add the path in the arguments:

make PG_CONFIG=/path/to/postgres/bin/pg_config install

docker pull apache/age


docker run \
    --name age  \
    -p 5455:5432 \
    -e POSTGRES_USER=postgresUser \
    -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=postgresPW \
    -e POSTGRES_DB=postgresDB \
    -d \
    apache/age

docker exec -it age psql -d postgresDB -U postgresUser

For every connection of AGE you start, you will need to load the AGE extension.

CREATE EXTENSION age;

LOAD 'age';

SET search_path = ag_catalog, "$user", public;

To create a graph, use the create_graph function located in the ag_catalog namespace.

SELECT create_graph('graph_name');

To create a single vertex, use the CREATE clause.

SELECT * 
FROM cypher('graph_name', $$
    CREATE (n)
$$) as (v agtype);

To create a single vertex with the label, use the CREATE clause.

SELECT * 
FROM cypher('graph_name', $$
    CREATE (:label)
$$) as (v agtype);

To create a single vertex with label and properties, use the CREATE clause.

SELECT * 
FROM cypher('graph_name', $$
    CREATE (:label {property:value})
$$) as (v agtype);

To query the graph, you can use the MATCH clause.

SELECT * 
FROM cypher('graph_name', $$
    MATCH (v)
    RETURN v
$$) as (v agtype);

You can use the following to create an edge, for example, between two nodes.

SELECT * 
FROM cypher('graph_name', $$
    MATCH (a:label), (b:label)
    WHERE a.property = 'Node A' AND b.property = 'Node B'
    CREATE (a)-[e:RELTYPE]->(b)
    RETURN e
$$) as (e agtype);

To create an edge and set properties.

SELECT * 
FROM cypher('graph_name', $$
    MATCH (a:label), (b:label)
    WHERE a.property = 'Node A' AND b.property = 'Node B'
    CREATE (a)-[e:RELTYPE {property:a.property + '<->' + b.property}]->(b)
    RETURN e
$$) as (e agtype);

Example

SELECT * 
FROM cypher('graph_name', $$
    MATCH (a:Person), (b:Person)
    WHERE a.name = 'Node A' AND b.name = 'Node B'
    CREATE (a)-[e:RELTYPE {name:a.name + '<->' + b.name}]->(b)
    RETURN e
$$) as (e agtype);

Starting with Apache AGE is very simple. You can easily select your platform and incorporate the relevant SDK into your code.

Join the AGE community for help, questions, discussions, and contributions.

Apache AGE Viewer is a user interface for Apache AGE that provides visualization and exploration of data. This web visualization tool allows users to enter complex graph queries and explore the results in graph and table forms. Apache AGE Viewer is enhanced to proceed with extensive graph data and discover insights through various graph algorithms. Apache AGE Viewer will become a graph data administration and development platform for Apache AGE to support multiple relational databases: https://github.com/apache/age-viewer.

This is a visualization tool. After installing AGE Extension, you may use this tool to get access to the visualization features.

Viewer gdb, and graph

You can also get help from these videos.

You can improve ongoing efforts or initiate new ones by sending pull requests to this repository. Also, you can learn from the code review process, how to merge pull requests, and from code style compliance to documentation by visiting the Apache AGE official site - Developer Guidelines. Send all your comments and inquiries to the user mailing list, users@age.apache.org.