What is a GQL Standard?
What is in a Graph Query Language Standard?
The current thought is that the GQL Standard will be two or three parts that include:
Incorporate specifications from SQL/Framework and SQL/Foundation (ISO/IEC JTC1 9075:2016 parts 1 & 2), including:
Some scalar data types
Operations, functions, and predicates for the scalar types
Transaction model (isolation level, COMMIT, ROLLBACK, etc.)
Security model
Client model and session model?
Capabilities needed by both SQL/PGQ (Property Graph Queries in SQL) and the GQL standard
Originally integrated into SQL/PGQ:2023
Split into a separate part as GQL project progresses, referenced by both GQL and SQL/PGQ
Graph Pattern Matching
Etc...
GQL Specific Capabilities
Graph-only data types
Vertex
Edge
Path
Graph operations not included in SQL:/PGQ:2020
Graph analog of SQL/Schemata
Possible Timeline for a GQL Standard
The following is a the likely timeline for the progression of a formal Graph Query Language Standard (as of June, 2022).
2019-09 – 39075 Database Language GQL project approved - this is the start
2021-11 – CD Ballot started
2022-02 – CD Ballot ended and comment resolution started
2023-06 – DIS (Draft International Standard) Ballot starts
2023-11 – DIS ballot ends
2024-04 – International Standard
We have made a great deal of progress but there is still work to be done.