Graph Databases vs Relational Databases
Understand the core differences between graph databases like Neo4j and traditional relational databases, and when each model shines.
Two Ways to Model Data
Two ways to model data: relational stores tables of rows and columns; graph stores nodes linked by relationships. They optimize for different access patterns.
The Relational Model
In a relational database, connections live as foreign keys and get resolved at query time with JOINs.
SELECT u.name, o.total
FROM users u
JOIN orders o ON o.user_id = u.id
WHERE u.id = 42;All lessons in this course
- What are Graph Databases?
- Introducing Neo4j and Its Architecture
- Setting Up Your Neo4j Environment
- Graph Databases vs Relational Databases