Is Spanner Graph a Graph emulator or a Native Graph?

[Marcosps]

I am doing a viability study with several Graph Database providers, and I'm willing to try Google's Spanner Graph to test a Graph Application scenario.

This scenario is not a traditional Graph workload that many might be familiar with. I use Graphs for Line of Business Application development using a different approach. I have built a prototype/POC on Neo4j (Cypher), and I would like to see if I can build this with other Graphs now that GQL (ISO/IEC 39075:2024) is starting to be adopted by most Graph Databases. You can find the prototype Application here: https://github.com/Flyer-Boy/NewApproach (there is a RideHailing.cypher script/file to create an initial state of the Graph, and it contains most of the commands that the App will use).

Now, if Spanner Graph is not a native Graph and just an emulator, I'll be wasting my time. Can anyone help me here?   

Thanks!! Marcos 

[mcbsalceda]

Hi @Marcosps,

Welcome to Google Cloud Community!

Spanner Graph is a native graph database, not just an emulator. It integrates graph, relational, search, and AI capabilities in one system, and it supports ISO GQL, making it a viable option for transitioning your Cypher-based prototype.

Since you're working with GQL rather than just Cypher, Spanner Graph could be a strong candidate for your viability study. However, it's available only with the Spanner Enterprise and Enterprise Plus editions. For more details, check the Spanner editions overview.

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[Marcosps]

Thanks, for the clarification. This is very. I will definitely dedicate some time to test it out. I’m good with both Cypher or GQL  as long as I can get it to work the way I want. Many thanks, Marcos