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Neo4J - Lab 1

In this lab session, we will explore Neo4j by setting up a Docker Neo4j instance using the provided command. We will cover the following:

  1. Launching a Docker Neo4j Container
  2. Accessing the Neo4j Browser Interface
  3. Creating a Sample Graph Database
  4. Running Cypher Queries

1. Lauch a Docker Neo4j Container

Steps

  1. Start up Docker
  2. Open your Terminal

  3. Execute the following command

    docker run --publish=7474:7474 --publish=7687:7687 --env NEO4J_AUTH=neo4j/admin123 neo4j

    Info

    This command creates a Docker container running the Neo4j image, maps ports 7474 and 7687 from the container to the host machine, and sets the initial authentication to "neo4j/admin123."

2. Access the Neo4j Browser Interface

Steps

  1. Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:7474
  2. Connect to the Neo4J using the following information:
    • Connect URL: neo4j://neo4j://localhost:7687
    • Database - leave empty for default: leave it empty
    • Authentication type: Username / Password
    • Username: neo4j
    • Password: admin123

2. Create a Sample Graph Database

Steps

  1. Create a simple graph database with nodes and relationships in the user interface

    • paste the content into the top section on your screen with start with neo4j$

    • hit the play button

      CREATE (Alice:Person {name: "Alice", age: 30})
CREATE (Bob:Person {name: "Bob", age: 25})
CREATE (Charlie:Person {name: "Charlie", age: 35})
CREATE (Alice)-[:FRIEND]->(Bob)
CREATE (Alice)-[:FRIEND]->(Charlie)

      Expected results

  2. The following information in the log

    Added 3 labels, created 3 nodes, set 6 properties, created 2 relationships, completed after 31 ms.

4. Run Cypher Queries

Steps

  1. Run the following Cypher query into the Neo4J interface

    MATCH (Alice:Person {name: "Alice"})-[:FRIEND]->(friend)
RETURN Alice, friend

  2. Click on the Graph icon in the left page

This query retrieves Alice and her friends.

Expected results

  • The following relationship between Alice and its friends

    erDiagram
Charlie ||--o{ Alice : friend
Bob ||--o{ Alice : friend