SliccDB 0.0.1

SliccDB

Light Embedded Graph Database for .net

<img src="/SliccDB.Explorer/Res/SLICC_500.png" width="200" height="200" align="right">

Important Disclaimer

Since I am now working on my thesis I don't have time neccessary to work on SliccDB. I am looking for contributors. Please reach out by email ja.to.mixer@gmail.com Thanks!

What is it?

Think of it like SQLite for graph databases. There were some efforts to build something like this (such as Graph Engine) but Microsoft decided to abandon all of their graph database related projects. Be aware that I have no intention to make this some sort of Neo4J .net Clone. It will be not fully compliant with features of mentioned database. I intend on integrating Cypher, because it is an ISO standard GQL (Graph Query Language). More info and resources about cypher can be found on their site (http://opencypher.org/)

Update regarding Cypher

I've decided to focus on extending and optimizing C# ↔ database interaction. Cypher implementation is under consideration.

Examples

Here are some simple examples:

Create Node Programatically

DatabaseConnection connection = new DatabaseConnection("filename");
var properties = new Dictionary<string, string>();
var labels = new HashSet<string>();
properties.Add("Name", "Alice");
labels.Add("Person");

var nodeOne = connection.CreateNode(properties, labels);
properties.Clear();
labels.Clear();
properties.Add("Name", "Steve");
labels.Add("Person");

var nodeTwo = connection.CreateNode(properties, labels);

Create Relations between two nodes

Note that relations also have ability to hold data like Properties and Labels

var properties = new Dictionary<string, string>();
var labels = new HashSet<string>();
properties.Add("How Much", "Very Much");
labels.Add("Label on a node!");
connection.CreateRelation(
"Likes", 
sn => sn.First(x => x.Hash == nodeOne.Hash), tn => tn.First(a => a.Hash == nodeTwo.Hash), properties, labels);

Queries

You can query nodes and relations as you would any collection (With Linq).

Query Nodes

var selectedNode = Connection.Nodes().Properties("Name".Value("Tom")).Labels("Person").FirstOrDefault();

Query Relations

var queriedRelation = Connection.Relations().Properties("Property".Value("PropertyValue"))
                .Labels("RelationLabel");

Update Node/Relation

 var relation = Connection.Relations("Likes").ToList().First();
            relation.Properties["How Much"] = "Not So Much";
            relation.Labels.Add("Love Hate Relationship");

Connection.Update(relation);
            
...

 var node = Connection.Nodes().Properties("Name".Value("Steve")).First();
            node.Properties["Name"] = "Steve2";

Connection.Update(node);

Delete Node/Relation

var toDelete = Connection.CreateNode(
                new Dictionary<string, string>() { { "Name", "Tom" } },
                new HashSet<string>() { "Person" }
            );

var queryToDelete = Connection.Nodes().Properties("Name".Value("Tom")).Labels("Person").FirstOrDefault();

Connection.Delete(queryToDelete);

 var testNode1 = Connection.CreateNode(
                new Dictionary<string, string>() { { "Name", "C" } },
                new HashSet<string>() { "S" }
            );

            var testNode2 = Connection.CreateNode(
                new Dictionary<string, string>() { { "Name", "A" } },
                new HashSet<string>() { "S" }
            );            

var properties = new Dictionary<string, string>();
var labels = new HashSet<string>();
properties.Add("Test", "Test");
labels.Add("Test on a node!");
Connection.CreateRelation("Test", sn => sn.First(x => x.Hash == testNode1.Hash), tn => tn.First(a => a.Hash == testNode2.Hash), properties, labels);

var queriedRelation = Connection.Relations("Test").FirstOrDefault();

Connection.Delete(queriedRelation);

Why it exists?

I just need embedded Graph Database Solution that supports Cypher Language. Graph DBMS is a perfect solution for some gamedev ai-related stuff (Procedural Behaviour Design, Perception and context awareness storage), but every solution needs a server. Imagine that in order to play your game you must install Neo4J's server in the first place, or every time your npc makes a decision it queries Azure Cloud to check how much he likes pizza. It's unreliable and forces you to host a game server for the entirety of a game's lifetime even though your game is singleplayer. Sounds stupid? Well, ask EA about Simcity 2013 - they thought it's a great idea! But really, Graph DBMS has other use cases. Watch this video to know more about Graph DBMS

DB Explorer

DB Explorer is a companion app currently used for interaction with database. It allows for CRUD operations on the database to test its' functionalities. The app is still in development.

Progress

Below you'll find a list of features that will be included in the 1st milestone release of SliccDB:

• Basic Structures (Relations, Nodes)
• Serialization (Reading and Writing)
• Queries
• Basic Debugger App (Ability to add, remove, edit nodes and relations)
• ORM (Object Relational Mapper) for Nodes

Can I help?

Of course! Any help with the SliccDB will be appreciated.

Special Thanks!

• Oleitao He wrote first unit tests of the database!
• HoLLy-Hacker (cool name tho) - He performance tested key functionalities of SliccDB and found a few errors bugs.