Neo4j: Relationship Property Indexes

1. Introduction

In Neo4j, indexes can be created on properties of relationships to improve the performance of queries. This lesson covers the specifics of Relationship Property Indexes, how they differ from node indexes, and best practices for their use.

2. Key Concepts

• Relationship: A connection between two nodes in a graph.
• Property: Key-value pairs associated with relationships.
• Index: A data structure that improves the speed of data retrieval operations on a database.
• Relationship Property Index: An index specifically for properties on relationships.

3. Creating Relationship Property Indexes

To create a relationship property index, use the following Cypher command:

CREATE INDEX ON :RELATIONSHIP_TYPE(property_name);
        

Step-by-Step Process

1. Determine the relationship type and the property you wish to index.
2. Run the Cypher command to create the index.
3. Verify the creation of the index using the command:

SHOW INDEXES;
            

4. Use the index in your queries to optimize performance.

4. Best Practices

• Create indexes only on properties that are frequently used in queries.
• Use composite indexes for queries involving multiple properties.
• Regularly monitor index usage and statistics to adjust indexing strategies.
• Be cautious of over-indexing as it can lead to increased write times.

5. FAQ

DROP INDEX ON :RELATIONSHIP_TYPE(property_name);