Java Driver Basics for Neo4j

1. Introduction

The Neo4j Java Driver is a powerful tool that allows Java applications to connect to and interact with a Neo4j database. This lesson covers the basics of using the Java Driver, including installation, connection setup, executing queries, and best practices.

2. Installation

To use the Neo4j Java Driver, you need to include it as a dependency in your project. If you are using Maven, add the following dependency to your pom.xml:

3. Connecting to Neo4j

After installing the driver, you can establish a connection to the Neo4j database. Here’s how to create a session:

import org.neo4j.driver.AuthTokens;
import org.neo4j.driver.Driver;
import org.neo4j.driver.GraphDatabase;
import org.neo4j.driver.Session;

public class Neo4jConnection {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Driver driver = GraphDatabase.driver("bolt://localhost:7687", AuthTokens.basic("username", "password"));
        try (Session session = driver.session()) {
            // Your code goes here
        } finally {
            driver.close();
        }
    }
}
        

4. Executing Queries

Once connected, you can execute Cypher queries against the database:

String query = "MATCH (n:Person) RETURN n.name AS name";
session.run(query).forEachRemaining(record -> {
    System.out.println(record.get("name").asString());
});
        

5. Best Practices

• Always close your sessions and drivers to prevent resource leaks.
• Use parameterized queries to avoid Cypher injection attacks.
• Batch your writes to improve performance when inserting or updating large datasets.
• Use a connection pool for better management of database connections.

6. FAQ