is a leading multi-model graph database

Graph Processing & Analytics for Relational Databases

  What is Apache AGE?

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. 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.

  Overview

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.

  Features

• 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

  Documentation

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

  Pre-Installation

Install the following essential libraries according to each OS. Building AGE from the source depends on the following Linux libraries:

• 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

  Installation

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

 Install PostgreSQL

You will need to install an AGE compatible version of Postgres, for now AGE supports Postgres 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18. Supporting the latest versions is on AGE roadmap.

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

sudo apt install postgresql

 Installation From Source Code

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.

 Install AGE on Linux and MacOS

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, 16, 17 & 18 are supported. If you have any other version of Postgres, you will need to install PostgreSQL version 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18.

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

 Run using Docker

Get the docker image

docker pull apache/age

Create AGE docker container

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

Enter PostgreSQL's psql:

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

  Post Installation

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;

Note on ag_catalog ownership

AGE installs all of its objects into the ag_catalog schema. Install AGE (CREATE EXTENSION age) before granting the CREATE privilege on the database to other roles. A role that can create schemas could otherwise pre-create ag_catalog and own it; CREATE EXTENSION age therefore refuses to install when ag_catalog already exists and is owned by a different role. If you hit that error, drop the stray schema (DROP SCHEMA ag_catalog CASCADE) or transfer its ownership to the installing role, then retry.

  Using AGE with Non-Autocommit Clients (psycopg, JDBC, etc.)

If you are using AGE from a database client that does not default to autocommit — most commonly psycopg v3 or JDBC — you must understand how PostgreSQL's transaction semantics apply to AGE's setup and DDL-like functions. Otherwise, you may see graphs or labels that appear to be created successfully, but are not visible from new connections.

This is not a bug in AGE — it is standard PostgreSQL behavior. AGE's DDL-like functions write to the catalog, and catalog writes only become visible to other sessions after the enclosing transaction is committed.

What is and isn't transactional