Zerograph is an alternative Neo4j server container that uses ZeroMQ for communication between a Python client and embedded Java server. It allows for multi-tenancy of Neo4j databases through a Python client that can create, query, and manage multiple graphs running on the server. While still immature, it provides a fast method for working with Neo4j graphs from Python.

2. Zerograph is an alternative server
container for one or more Neo4j graph
databases that uses ZeroMQ for fast and
reliable communication and comes
bundled with a Python client.

3. Basic Architecture
Python client
application
Java server
(embedded)
ZeroMQ
transport
JSON
YAML

4. Multi-tenancy
PATCH Graph {"host":"localhost","port":47471}
!Graph {"host":"localhost","port":47471}
from zerograph import *
graph = Graph.open(port=47471)
Graph.drop(port=47471)

5. Working with Entities
a, b = graph.create(Node(name="Alice"),
Node(name="Bob"))
ab, = graph.create(Path(a, "KNOWS", b))
a.labels.add("Person")
a.properties["age"] = 33
a.push()
A B
A B
create
delete
push
pull
ab.properties["since"] = 1999
ab.push()

6. Performance (rough)
● Desktop Linux PC (quad-core AMD
Phenom™ II X4 965 with 4GB RAM)
● Fast YAML loader (C, not Python)
Creation test: ~0.25s/1000 nodes
~0.50s/1000 relationships

7. Resilience
ZeroMQ
Sockets

8. Can I use it?
● Built in a limited environment
● Not mature
● Not (yet) a production replacement

9. Can I use it?
● Built in a limited environment
● Not mature
● Not (yet) a production replacement
● Test and give feedback
● Try it, build on it, improve it
● Other languages
● Other operating systems

10. nigelsmall.com/zerograph
@neonige