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?
Graph Pattern Matching
Identical to Graph Pattern Matching in SQL/PGQ:2023
GQL Specific Capabilities
Graph-only data types
Vertex
Edge
Path
Graph operations not included in SQL:/PGQ:2023
Create Graph
Insert/Update/Delete
Queries (using GPM)
Open graphs or graph types to constrain the contents of a graph
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 November, 2023).
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
2022-08 - CD2 Consultation started
2022-10 - CD2 Consultation ended
2023-05 – DIS (Draft International Standard) Ballot started
2023-08 – DIS ballot ended
2024-01 - FDIS ballot starts
2024-03 - FDIS ballot ends
2024-04 – International Standard published
The technical work is completed, editorial corrections have been made, and the GQL standard is waiting to be published.