Comparison of Graph and Relational databases

Bunmeng Bo

Master's thesis

Abstract:

In this thesis, relational and graph databases have been selected as the two main databases to be evaluated and discussed. Databases are one of the most important entities in any type of application for a long run. While relational databases have been around for many decades, the growth of other types of databases is also remarkable, especially Graph database. Each type of databases has their own benefits and drawbacks. The main focus of the study is to find out the features provided by Relational database with MySQL and the ones by Graph database with GraphQL in Dgraph environment. The databases are designed to store the data of a small part of the car renting business model, which are used to display to users in a simple iOS application that has also been built during the process. These databases are evaluated based on their complexities and compatibilities with the client-side application, an iOS mobile application. The results discussed are focused on time saving for an application development and developer- friendliness of each database. Hence, those results are meant to help designers, project managers, developers, and people related to the field make decision towards the selection of the databases for their future projects.

Keywords

graph database, dgraph, graphql, relational database, mysql

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 30. 11. 2022

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Marek Pícka, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Economics and Management

Master programme / field:
Systems Engineering and Informatics / Informatics