Db2 Graph enhancements
The Db2® 11.5.8 release contains enhancements that improve management of buffer pool definition files and remote storage.
The following table displays a list of graph enhancements in Db2 11.5.8:
| Enhancements | Description |
|---|---|
| New Discovery mode for graph querying. | Db2 Graph now offers a new way to discover your data. Discovery mode provides you with tools to build complex queries through point-and-click actions. No knowledge of the Gremlin query language is needed. |
| A redesigned Work with graphs page. | The Work with graphs page is redesigned to simplify working with graphs. Each graph is now displayed as a card with quick actions for launching tutorials, querying, discovering data and editing the graph. Clicking a card shows a new graph details page, from which you can export the graph definition, review previous versions of the graph, and work with global and previously run queries. |
| Monitor logs and change server settings | There are numerous settings that can affect query performance, such as adding automatic deduping of results, inactivity timeouts, and wait time before aborting queries. To better organize and view these values, 11.5.8 introduces the settings tab. Users can more easily view what the current values are, change them if needed, and be alerted if a setting has been changed. |
| Db2 Graph tutorials | Rather than creating a model, 11.5.8 includes pre-defined graphs in which the vertex and edge table definitions are created and ready to use. Through these sample graphs, users better understand how vertex and edges interact |
| Global queries |
With 11.5.8, the query history view is split into two sections: Global queries and Query history. Global queries are saved queries that are globally available to every user of the graph. Users can re-run, copy, edit, and delete the query. However, limitations of these functions exists depending on the user's access level. Every user may re-run and copy the query, but only the query creator or graph administration may edit and delete the query. These limitations helps prevent accidental interferences from viewing users Query history are the queries that were previously run. This history allows users to more easily traverse through past queries and user activity. Users can re-run, copy, share, and delete these queries. Additionally, users can interact with the table. By clicking on the header, users can sort the table. Moreover, users can filter through the table by entering a term into the search previous queries box. |
| Query parameters | 11.5.8 introduces a new topic: Query parameters. This topic prompts users to create and enter
parameter values for queries. Using the format ##parameter name:optional_type##,
users first create parameters. Afterward, users can input boolean, date, and number values for the
created parameters. Once the user runs the query, the value replaces the parameter name. This
prompting better organizes parameters and values. |
| Improved visualization and insights |
Discovering details or connections in a large graph query visualization is challenging. As a result, 11.5.8 introduces Insights. By using the customization of labels, colors, and sizes; Insights help visualizations identify patterns in complex query results. Insights offer customizations options with color, size, and text. Color insights apply a selected color when a property of the element matches the condition specified. Size insights adjusts a vertex or edge size based on a selected property. Similarly, text insights changes the display text to the selected property value. These customizations make agreements or disagreements to conditions more evident and visible. If a query does not support insights, all elements are set to a default color. The default color matches the labels color in the visualization. |
| Enhanced interaction with elements in visualized query results |
11.5.8 includes two new features to help users visualize queries: Visualizations and Graph info. Visualizations now shows example queries even if there is no visualization already provided. When a visualization is on screen, a summary of each vertex/edge label in the visualization, a count for the number of elements in each label and if the query supports it, adding insights to a label. The visualizations tab also has options for controlling the graph settings. The graph info tab shows information about the vertex and edge definitions in the graph, including the available properties and displaying how vertices and edges connect. |
| Formatting and translating gremlin queries |
In 11.5.8, users can more easily manage connections, create graphs, and run Gremlin queries from a web browser. New additions for better management and navigation of the Db2 Graph UI include a login as the Graph administrator, management of the system, and a logout. There is also a toggle to alternate the UI theme between light and dark to make for a more enjoyable user experience. The query editor now also includes a format and translate query option. Queries can now be automatically formatted according to the gremlin style guide and translated into language specific gremlin variants. These additions reduces the time and steps required by previous versions of Db2 graphs. |
| Improved raw query output | 11.5.8 organizes the raw output using colors. For example, vertices, edges, and paths are distinguished using different colors. The raw output is colored to help better differentiate the items that are coming back. |
| Set a column or multiple columns as the default display value for queries on vertex and edge definitions | In 11.5.8, users have an easier time setting one or more columns as the default display text for queries. The default display text is to the generated edge or vertex ID. However, users can select one or more columns by changing the drop down Do you want to use the ID as the default display text for queries? from Yes to No, then select the properties you want to use. This reduces the number of steps to set a column or multiple columns than previous versions. |
| New placement of sidebar toggles | The sidebar toggles for the modeler and query editor have been moved into the header bar allowing for better visibility and easier access. |