Eclipse JNoSQL 1.1.8: Graph API for Java with Neo4j Cypher and Quarkus Support 🚀

Graphs are more than data structures — they are how we naturally model complex relationships. From recommendation engines and fraud detection to knowledge graphs and social networks, graph databases offer a more intuitive way to connect data.

That’s why the Eclipse JNoSQL 1.1.8 release is so exciting. It brings:

• 🧠 Cypher support for Neo4j
• 🔁 Continued compatibility with Apache TinkerPop
• ⚡ A brand new Quarkus integration

A special thanks to Max Arruda for making the Quarkus support possible through Quarkus JNoSQL Extension!

💡 Why a Graph API in Java?

Java is inherently object-oriented, yet traditional data layers often lose the richness of relationships. Graph databases preserve this structure, and Eclipse JNoSQL’s Graph API bridges that gap by offering a type-safe, vendor-neutral graph abstraction for Java developers.

Let’s see it in action.

📚 Modeling Entities as Vertices

You can define your graph nodes using familiar Jakarta NoSQL annotations:

@Entity
public class Book {
    @Id
    private String id;

    @Column
    private String name;
}

@Entity
public class Category {
    @Id
    private String id;

    @Column
    private String name;
}        

These are translated into graph vertices, keeping your domain model clean and portable.

🔗 Defining Edges for Relationships

Relationships are first-class citizens. For example, connecting a Book to a Category:

Edge<Book, Category> edge = Edge.source(book)
    .label("is")
    .target(category)
    .property("relevance", 10)
    .build();        

🧪 Cypher Query Support

Now you can use Cypher, Neo4j’s powerful query language, directly:

List<Vertex> vertices = template.cypher("MATCH (b:Book)-[:is]->(c:Category) RETURN b, c");        

Eclipse JNoSQL maps the result back into your Java entities — giving you both graph flexibility and type safety.

🧩 First-Class Quarkus Integration

With the new Quarkus JNoSQL extension, it's now easier than ever to run Eclipse JNoSQL in reactive, cloud-native environments. Configuration is simplified, startup is fast, and native compilation is supported out of the box.

Again, kudos to Max Arruda for leading this integration!

📝 Learn More

If you're curious about the concepts behind the Graph API and how to apply them, we’ve prepared a 3-part article series:

1. 📖 Graph Concepts with Eclipse JNoSQL
2. ⚙️ Using Cypher and Neo4j
3. 🌐 Integrating with JanusGraph

The 1.1.8 release brings Eclipse JNoSQL closer to its mission: enabling polyglot persistence and graph-native modeling in Java with ease. Whether you're building data-rich microservices or exploring advanced graph use cases, this release provides the tools to go further.

Jakarta EE Neo4j Apache TinkerPop

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